Burlington Youth in Action
This February we worked with our Burlington School district partners to bring 17 students involved in prevention groups at BHS, and Edmunds and Hunt Middle Schools to the Statehouse for the annual Our Voices eXposed youth rally organized by the Vermont Department of Health. They joined their peers from across the state to share their perspectives on substance use issues affecting kids their age, such as flavored tobacco products, and how policy makers can support kids like them.
Bonnie, a student from Bellows Falls Academy shared this at the rally, "This is not a kids making dumb choices issue. This is an industry issue- big tobacco didn't disappear, they just got smarter, they took addiction and turned it into something flavored, colorful and easy to hide." Our own Edmunds Middle Schooler stepped in front of the microphone to share these words at the rally as well, “Look at the names [of vape products]: Blue Razzberry, Cotton Candy, Mango Ice, and Sour Apple. These aren't just flavors; they are marketing traps designed to hook a new generation...We are here today because we refuse to let another generation become consumed by tobacco products.” To hear more from the two Edmunds Middle Schoolers who spoke at the rally check out our video of the event:
We also recently hosted an inspiring tour of the Statehouse, where our youth met with Senators Ginny Lyons, Martine Laroque Gulick, and Thomas Chittenden. These legislators took generous time to listen to the students' perspectives on the policies shaping Vermont.
This follows a project that began last fall, when Edmunds Middle School students trained to analyze local youth data. On April 7th, those students partnered with the Burlington Partnership for a Healthy Community (BPHC) to host a community dinner and dialogue night titled, “Let’s Talk: Supporting Burlington Youth.”
About 35 participants—including students, caregivers, school staff, and residents—gathered at EMS to review data on youth mental health and substance use. The evening concluded with small-group discussions focused on building a healthier future. While the data provided a roadmap, the most heartening takeaway was the genuine compassion and community strength shown by those dedicated to improving outcomes for Burlington youth.
