EMPOWERING

EMPOWERING ADOLESCENTS Through Uncertain Times

Photo Courtesy of Illinois Humanities

by Carrie Jackson

The uncertainly that has come from the pandemic, there was anxiety about not the COVID-19 pandemic can be knowing when they could see their friends especially challenging for adolescents again or go back to school. Now there’s a that have had portions of their lives altered frustration around not being able to do or put on hold during a time of pivotal social activities they were looking forward to over growth and personal development. Hanthe summer, such as camps, sports and nah Dailey, a marriage and family therapist festivals.” with CORE Chicago (CORE-Chicago.com), Finding a way to still connect is reports that she’s seeing her teenage clients critical. “Accepting that screen contact is exhibit social isolation, lack of daily strucreal contact is a step that many teens have ture, loss of extracurricular activities that already taken. Taking classes or sharing are beneficial in shaping healthy identity a movie across the screens can give a development, anxiety and increased familprofound sense of connection, even when ial conflict with more time spent together you’re not physically together,” says Malik under stressful conditions. Turley, of Hip Circle Empowerment Center

Community and structure can play (HipCircle.org), a nonprofit that uses an important role in navigating this time dance, fitness and community to empowin limbo. “Empowering our teens is vital in er women and girls. order to give them a sense of independence Connecting online can help turn the and agency over their circumstances, espefeelings into something cathartic, says cially during a time that is so out of anyAudrey Petty, co-founder of Sojourner one’s control,” says Erica Hornthal, a dance Scholars, a program of Illinois Humanities movement therapist and founder of Chicago (IlHumanities.org), and editor of High Rise Dance Therapy (ChicagoDanceTherapy.com). Stories: Voices From Chicago Public Hous

Ashley Hodges, MSW, LCSW, of the ing. The program works primarily with Wellington Counseling Group (Wellingtonhigh-schoolers from the greater South Side CounselingGroup.com), in Chicago, works of Chicago to promote intellectual growth, with adolescents experiencing crisis. “So community and civic engagement, and had much of what teens do revolves around to shift to online seminars for this sumtheir peers and friendships. At the start of mer’s intensive, four-week curriculum.

“Everything is knowledge, everything is learning. We’re talking about the things we can do, the things we must do, the things that are possible in this moment and beyond. There are challenges with the transition to online seminars, but there is a real sense of urgency and hunger and desire for students to have and to create this space,” says Petty.

Ozakh Ahmed is the interim program director at Girls, Inc. Chicago (GirlsIncOf Chicago.org), a nonprofit that inspires girls to respond with thoughtful, informed decisions and lead healthy, fulfilling lives. She says that much of their programing has shifted during the quarantine, but there have been some benefits to that. “Great bonds can be made when we are able to come together as a community over a shared emotional event, even if that’s on a Zoom or phone call. I’ve had the opportunity to see my high school students more now than I would have if the meetings were in person. We take the time to really check in, ask how everyone is feeling, and the girls are able to identify others who may be experiencing something similar,” says Ahmed.

With a little creativity, being at home can still provide ample room for growth. “Teens can continue to find fulfillment and meaning in their everyday lives through intentionality and structure, and can continue to build their confidence by actively trying new things,” says Dailey. True Star Foundation (TrueStarFoundation.org) is a nonprofit that provides on-the-job training for teenagers to create their own media and takes a hands-on approach to solving problems. Co-founder Na-Tae’ Thompson says that it is imperative for teens to conquer their insecurities and master communication skills. “By developing media platforms, teens learn skills associated with content creation, digital media and marketing, but they also learn the importance of leadership, teamwork, dependability, problem-solving and thinking outside of the box.”

Hodges says that parents have the chance to have a strong and supportive role in how their teens respond to the pandemic, and encourages them to acknowledge what’s going on instead of normalizing it. “This is an important time for parents to

ask their kids how they are doing and really listen and validate what they’re feeling. Teens need to hear, ‘Yes, this is challenging. How can I help you?’ They might not have the emotional regulation to articulate their needs right then, but letting them know that their feelings are being heard will help start the conversation.”

These complex emotions that are coming up can manifest in many areas, and Hornthal works with clients to facilitate releasing emotions trapped in the body through movement and dance. She encourages adolescents to practice taking up space and stretching whenever possible. “Teens can take time to center and ground throughout the day by placing their feet on the floor, lifting the body and breathing consciously, which reinforces connection. If they can connect to themselves, then they can tap into their own power and find their independence,” she says.

COVID-19 will become part of their permanent story for today’s adolescents instead of proms, parties and other rites of passage. “Parents should be conscious of

how they are validating their teen’s experience during this time, as well as being vulnerable in sharing their own difficulties during as a means to normalize their teen’s experience and connect to one another,” says Dailey. True Star encourages teens to shift their perspective. “In a time where youth have the ability to control the narrative, to be an example to peers, we implore them to take full advantage. "It is such an empowerment move to shift a young person’s mindset and to help shape them for adulthood,” says Thompson. Monique Petty-Ashmeade, a freshman at DePaul University, uses social media and other platforms to share with friends at True Star and throughout the community. “Creating my own media gives me confidence and pride. It makes me feel as though my voice matters and that what I have to say is important. I also get to share my thoughts and opinions with people and hopefully, in some way help them out,” she states.

Adolescents are at a unique time in their lives where they are starting to explore their place in the world, and support from peers, family and community is crucial for long-term success. “Our programs help facilitate the process of the students finding the power that is already within them. They are already acting as social scientists, and have the answers to create positive social change,” says Ahmed. With the resources to thrive, not just survive, through a global pandemic, they can come out of this stronger than ever. “Having empowering experiences that show how strong and impactful they can be at a time in their lives when so much is in flux can set teens up for being truly courageous and confident adults,” says Turley.

Carrie Jackson is an Evanston-based writer and frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine. Connect at CarrieJacksonWrites.com.