Every Voice Heard Schools Program

The 16 Strong Project provides a platform where every voice is heard - it just takes one person to make a change and BE THE ONE. At 16 Strong, we believe that every person that works with children and adolescents needs to be trained to be aware of and attentive to their situations and subsequent needs. There is an inherent bias in all of our responses - who we THINK needs help and what we THINK is happening. 

In these times more than ever, we see the need for youth voices to be heard. COVID-19, the recent resurgence of the fight for social justice and anti-racism practices have highlighted what we have already known - that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are the number one unaddressed public health issue facing our nation’s youth.

In response, 16 Strong has created the Every Voice Heard Schools Program. Every Voice Heard (EVH) Schools work to combat these inherent biases by uplifting youth voices through education, resources, tips, training, research, workshops and lesson plans provided by the 16 Strong Project. EVH schools are committed to taking a proactive approach to student’s mental health and emotional well-being by providing a welcoming environment where all students' voices are heard, thus promoting a safe school environment where the needs and unique situations of ALL students can be effectively met. Professional-focused resources center on supporting school staff in understanding ACEs, corresponding statistics, and how to effectively assist their students who are facing adversity. Student-focused resources train students that they can and should advocate for themselves. These resources provide young people with language to express what they’re experiencing and strategies to proactively address the potential negative impacts.

Now more than ever, schools need to address these issues, and kids need to feel heard and supported. Whether stemming from prior conditions at home, new COVID-related issues or the new focus on racism as an adverse childhood experience, we can no longer assume we know better or assume who we “think needs help”. ALL kids have been affected. Become an Every Voice Heard (EVH) School and make sure that every single student voice is heard and listened to.

For more information or to express interest in becoming an EVH School, please enter your name and email address into the sign up form below!