New Guide: Engaging and Empowering Youth Voices

Osborne’s New York Initiative for Children of Incarcerated Parents (NYCIP), in partnership with youth leaders, has released Engaging and Empowering Youth Voices, a first-of-its-kind guide addressing the challenges that arise when children and young adults—particularly those impacted by parental incarceration—are asked to share personal experiences in public without adequate consent, support, or control. These situations can lead to retraumatization, tokenization, and stories that prioritize emotional impact over accuracy and dignity. 

“Youth must be viewed as the experts they are, not as what hardships they’ve overcome,” said Chantel Jackson, co-author of the guide. “Our stories can drive change—but only when we have control, support, and a clear purpose for sharing them.” 

Too often, young people face pressure to share deeply personal experiences in ways that can lead to retraumatization or oversimplification. This guide provides a framework for engaging youth voices with dignity, care, and shared power. 

The guide is organized into two sections: 

• Guidance for organizations working with young people, including practices such as revocable informed consent, fair compensation, co-creation of narratives, emotional support, and setting a clear purpose and boundaries. 

• Guidance for young people sharing their experiences, with tools to help them assess opportunities, set boundaries, and advocate for their needs throughout the process. 

“This guide is about accountability,” said Allison Hollihan, co-author and director of NYCIP. “If organizations want to elevate youth voices, they have to do it responsibly—by sharing power, investing in support and youth development, and recognizing young people as experts and equal partners, not props.” 

A practical guide for any young people considering how to share their personal stories and adults who collaborate with them, the publication aims to shift how youth stories are shared. By moving toward practices that are ethical, supportive, and respectful of the knowledge and wisdom of young people. 

Download the guide here.