By Kanika Cousine
The time has come for young people to take their rightful seat at the table. As the founder of Journey of A Dreamer INC., I’ve seen firsthand the incredible leadership, passion and vision that youth bring to their communities. But far too often, their voices go unheard and their contributions are overlooked. It’s time for us to stop treating them as the “future” and recognize that they are already leading in meaningful ways today.
When I was younger, I didn’t have a voice. It always felt like my opinions didn’t matter simply because I was young. I felt that I was too small, too inexperienced and not worthy of being heard. It’s something many young people today still feel. They are told to wait their turn, to be quiet, to step aside for adults to take charge. But when we do this, we deny them the opportunity to learn, grow and lead.
Through Journey of A Dreamer INC., I’ve had the privilege of offering youth the opportunity to take leadership positions in our summer youth employment programs and school-year initiatives. These programs aren’t just about helping them gain work experience—they’re about giving them a voice. I’ve seen how having the responsibility of leading a project has shaped their confidence and their sense of worth. Youth who have never been asked for their opinions or ideas are suddenly given a platform, and they respond with an enthusiasm that’s nothing short of inspiring.
Yet, when I first began asking the youth how we could improve our programs or serve them better, I noticed something: many of them felt weird –almost uncomfortable– when asked for their opinions. Some seemed unsure, even hesitant, to speak up. It was as if they were afraid to use their voices because they had been shut down before, or worse, never asked for their input at all. The realization that these youth were not used to being heard hit me hard. Their hesitation was not because they lacked ideas or passion—it was because they had never been given the space to share those ideas.
I will never forget how many of these youth thanked me for trusting them and for giving them the chance to lead. They told me it made them feel seen, valued and heard. It wasn’t just about the work they accomplished; it was about feeling like their voices mattered. That’s what leadership opportunities can do: they show young people that they are not just the future—they are the present, and their voices are powerful right now.
How we can make a difference
The solution is simple: We must listen.
Across New York City and Washington, D.C., organizations like Journey of A Dreamer INC. are providing youth with platforms to be heard and to lead. But more needs to be done. Youth should not have to wait for permission to share their voices; they should be included from the start.
As an advocate for CASA NYC youth, I’ve seen the profound impact that giving youth the opportunity to speak up can have on their futures. Too many of our youth feel disconnected from the decision-making that affects their lives. That’s why we need to make youth participation in leadership and community decision-making a priority. Youth deserve a seat at the table—and not just as a token gesture. We need to create spaces where they can actively participate, collaborate, and contribute to the solutions that affect their lives.
A final thought
If we continue to silence the voices of young people, we risk losing the perspectives and solutions they have to offer. It’s time to stop saying that youth are the future and start recognizing that they are already here, ready to lead, and ready to change the world.
Let’s give them the chance. Let’s listen.