How Teen Arya Became a Storyteller for Mental Health & Foster Youth

I believe in the power of storytelling. Stories expand our perspectives, helping us build connections through our shared experiences. Stories allow us to bridge gaps between our cultures, generations and backgrounds. When told thoughtfully and compassionately, stories have the power to inspire action and change our world for the better.

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Over the past four years, my journey with my Boys & Girls Club has helped me understand the power of my own story — and its power when I use my voice.

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Though I’ve faced challenges, they haven’t diminished my character or my potential. Instead, I’ve transformed my experiences into a source of inspiration. I’ve become a dedicated advocate for others who have walked similar paths. I’ve learned that vulnerability can be a catalyst for connection. I’ve discovered that sharing my story can give others hope and strength.

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With the help of my Club, I realized I could use my voice to amplify the stories of others and help my generation bring about positive change.

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Navigating Loss & Hope

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On my first day at Boys & Girls Clubs of the North Valley, as a high school freshman, I was annoyed to be there. Joining the Club had not been my choice. It was a solution that made sense for a family with five kids who all attended different schools. Going to my Club meant easier after-school pickups for my parents. For me, it seemed like daycare for teenagers.

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Steph, a staff member, took the time to help me feel more comfortable throughout that first week, but I still didn’t fully engage. I was a fly on the wall, not wanting to speak and not knowing if I would be heard if I did. At that time, I didn’t feel like I had a say in anything at all.

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When I lost my dad to suicide halfway through the school year, my Club became the support system that helped me to open up. After my dad passed away, I felt as if the world had left me behind, and I struggled to express my grief.

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I was finally able to share my feelings during a Hope Squad meeting at my Club. Hope Squad is my Club’s mental health and suicide prevention program. Thanks to Hope Squad, I received what I needed mentally and emotionally to heal and honor my dad’s memory without letting his loss define me. Our Hope Squad leader Megan and my Club gave me the tools, safety and inspiration to pursue my goals and be a leader in my community.

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Since 2021, I’ve been a Hope Squad officer, actively working to create a positive and supportive environment for all youth within our Club. I’ve helped develop a vision for promoting mental health awareness and support among our members. I’ve fostered open discussions about mental health, creating a safe space for kids to share their experiences and seek support. I’ve also emphasized the importance of community and belonging within our Club to foster a sense of connection and support.

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Finding My Voice as a Youth Advocate

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Teen leadership programs at my Club, such as the Keystone program, sparked my passion for advocacy. I became a leader at my Club, attending three consecutive national conferences where teens across the country come together in leadership and fellowship. Inspired by other teens sharing their community advocacy efforts, I returned to my Club determined to become a mental health advocate, as well as advocate for increased support for foster youth.

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Both of these issues are deeply personal to me, and I’m not afraid to share the reality of my experience because I’m a proud member of Gen Z.

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Tackling Mental Health Stigma

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Generation Z takes mental, emotional and psychological well-being seriously, and we’re working to erase the stigma surrounding mental health. We are becoming more open about discussing coping strategies.

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I believe that we will help the world understand that mental health is a serious issue and a shared experience that should be addressed with empathy and understanding. I believe my generation will help create supportive environments where people feel comfortable discussing their struggles, no matter what those struggles are, without judgment or comparison. I belong to a generation that believes that everyone deserves support and understanding, regardless of the specific challenges they face.

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Supporting Foster Youth & Challenging Harmful Stereotypes

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Another topic I’m passionate about is increasing awareness and support for foster youth. I initially had such a difficult time building connections at my Club because I’ve experienced the isolation and loneliness that come with being separated from siblings and placed in unfamiliar environments. When that happens enough, you lose your voice.

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I’m familiar with that feeling of not being able to confide in foster parents or social workers. I understand being ignored and dismissed as a troublemaker with a bad attitude. I know what it is like to be written off as incapable of succeeding in school.

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I also know what it is to triumph over all those misconceptions with the help of a strong support system. By sharing my story, I hope to help others see beyond our trauma and recognize the resilience and strength foster youth possess.

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As Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Pacific Youth of the Year, I want to collaborate with county and regional public health departments throughout the nation to create a mentorship initiative for youth living in foster care. I envision pairing older Club members with younger foster youth to create a specialized mentorship program that speaks to the unique needs of foster youth. These “big buddies” will provide emotional support, companionship and guidance to help foster youth feel less alone during their journey. By creating these connections, I believe we can provide a supportive network that empowers kids while instilling a sense of purpose and community in mentors and mentees alike.

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I also plan to keep on storytelling, studying journalism and sociology in college.

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My Club and its incredible mentors shattered the walls I’d built around myself and never stopped believing in my potential. Through them, I learned the power of vulnerability and the importance of human connection. Through the power of storytelling, I intend to continue to give youth a voice.