Diverse Collection of Teens Share Their Emerging Voices and Identities Amid Current Complicated Times - Pittsburgh Union Progress

Diverse collection of teens share their emerging voices and identities amid current complicated times - Pittsburgh Union Progress

Civic, religious and nonprofit leaders gathered last year at the Jewish Community Center to address the depth of problems the new Trump administration posed. Prime among the issues raised: The disconnect and divergent views people hold regarding who belongs and who shouldn’t belong in communities and who we are as a nation. That meant people would have to figure out “where they fit into this,” especially immigrants and refugees, said Sally Rafso…

From Pittsburgh’s towers to Kabul’s airport and a Nepali dance class in North Dakota, teens give voice to diversity

Teens need a strong sense of identity to keep them grounded as they work through social or cultural obstacles. “Exploring Identity: Teen Voices,” a new initiative of Sharing Our Story (SOS) supported by New Sun Rising, empowers young Pittsburghers — including refugee, immigrant, Black and Jewish teens — by helping them tell their stories through digital media. Research consistently links strong identity formation with mental well-being. Internat…