The Connecticut YOUTH Forum is a community outreach program of The Connecticut Forum that since 1993 has been providing unique opportunities for teenagers to connect and engage with each other across geographic, economic, social and racial divides. At YOUTH Forum meetings, diverse teens from different towns come together and talk about issues that they care about in a format of open honest discussion and with a Culture of Validation.

The mission of the Connecticut YOUTH Forum is to bring teenagers together through discussion and action while providing opportunities for growth and exploration. Each year, this youth-driven program empowers over 750 urban, suburban and rural students from 35 high schools through civil dialogue, service learning and leadership development activities.

Monthly youth forums bring together 200 diverse students from 30+ urban, suburban, and rural Greater Hartford high schools to exchange ideas and views on a topic or issue selected by the youth. Youth forums are facilitated by two adult allies (Program Staff). The Connecticut YOUTH Forum “Culture of Validation” – an established set of group agreements – creates a safe space for teens to talk, listen, and connect with one another. View a list of select previous meeting topics (PDF).

The Leadership Network consists of 25-30 YOUTH Forum students who volunteer to meet about once a month to discuss and plan the present and future of the YOUTH Forum. They develop leadership skills, help plan events, such as monthly meetings and the Annual YOUTH Forum Student Conference, and have unique opportunities to participate in Connecticut Forum theater events, service learning projects and programs.

The Annual YOUTH Forum Student Conference (formerly called the Student Exchange Event) is the biggest YOUTH Forum event of the year with up to 300 teenagers in attendance.  It is a full day of small and large group discussions, speaker workshops, entertainment and sharing of food, friends and fun (including a talent show and dance!) Check out the video below from our 25th Annual YOUTH Forum Student Conference!

YOUTH Forum members have the special opportunity to attend Connecticut Forum theater events at The Bushnell theater. A select group of students participate in Student-Panelist Roundtables in which students meet and interview world-famous Connecticut Forum panelists before each Forum begins. Eight students are selected for this exclusive opportunity at each Forum based on their enthusiasm, participation and positivity at YOUTH Forum events and meetings.

Each December, YOUTH Forum students play a big role in The Connecticut Forum’s tradition of giving at the Annual Hartford Children’s Holiday Party. YOUTH Forum members serve as “elves” at this annual Connecticut Forum celebration, bringing holiday cheer to 300 Hartford elementary students.

The Connecticut YOUTH Forum is funded through corporate, foundation and school support. There is no cost for individual students to participate in the Connecticut YOUTH Forum. Schools in the Greater Hartford area that support the CT YOUTH Forum through Champion School sponsorship receive complimentary organized and shared transportation for up to ten students. Contact Alex Taylor  if your school would like to become a Champion School!

Sponsorships and charitable donations to the Connecticut YOUTH Forum make our work possible! Contact Alex Taylor for more information about how you can make a YOUTH Forum donation or become a YOUTH Forum sponsor.

Historically, schools in the Greater Hartford area that support the CT YOUTH Forum through Champion School sponsorship receive complimentary organized and shared transportation for up to ten students. Please contact Alex Taylor for all transportation questions.

Alex Taylor, YOUTH Forum Program Manager: 860-509-0909