Oct 11, 2021

JCRC Program Brings Jewish and Black Teens Together

Teens Advocating Together, a program of Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) in partnership with the Miami-Dade Branch of the NAACP’s Youth Council, recently launched its third year. In the coming months, high schoolers in 10th-12th grade will meet peers from across Miami-Dade County to learn about identity, leadership and advocacy. They will build relationships across the community, bridging differences and developing their skills to advocate on issues of shared concern, such as reducing gun violence and supporting individuals facing mental health challenges. The teens will even have the opportunity to lobby elected officials — hopefully in person — in Tallahassee. “As African American and Jewish teens, Teens Advocating Together showed us the importance of educating ourselves on social and political issues and advocating for ideas we are passionate about,” write last year’s participants Kiera Barton and Caroline Hartley. Read Keira and Caroline’s essay about their experience here.