like-minded young people who could support me and allow me to grow into the change-maker I wanted to see myself become.

What has been most impactful about your participation in the program?
I think the most impactful thing about this program is the community Luis builds through the story circles. I believe that I would not be the same person now if I had not joined this program in 2018 and I'm very grateful for the community I've helped to build.

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know so many smart, amazing people who care about creating change. Show less

the making a change doesn’t have to be immediate or huge but as long as you have determination and passion nothing can hold you back. After 5 inspiring days I knew this is something I wanted to keep in my life and the Youth Ambassadors program has been nothing short of that. It has allowed me to grow and learn in ways I never would have otherwise. The story circles at the end of each meeting is where I grow the most because listening to other people’s experiences has allowed me to become so much more aware. I’m beyond thankful to be part of such an enriching program that has become a huge part of my life!

What has been most impactful about your participation in the program?
This program has given me the confidence and education to spread the message of making a difference within my community but also globally. Last year I was able to hold my own swim a thon in my community to raise money for cataract surgeries to give back to a third world community in Rajasthan, India. This experience has become part of who I am because the gratitude I saw from help that I was able to give has changed my life in such a big way. I’m forever grateful to have been able to do something so meaningful at 16 years old and hope to keep that going.

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is my indigenous home) inspired me to become more involved. Spaces like the ambassadorship from the external have always felt white-dominated, being a woman of color I spent a lot of my time waiting for women that looked like me to trail blaze and make those spaces accessible. It wasn't till the workshop and I met some of the most amazing women in my life, that I realized the magnitude of the work internally done by people that look like me, and that I wanted to continue to expand the visibility of it on the outside.

What has been most impactful about your participation in the program?
Definitely our story circles, especially when we have guests that join in on the conversation. Speaking to people, and learning their stories in a story circle is such an intimate way to build empathy. It cultivates a space for people to become very authentic and vulnerable but safe in a way that they might not feel comfortable doing so with people they are more familiar with.

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an impact on someone somewhere in the world.

What has been most impactful about your participation in the program?
I feel like the most impactful experience I have faced while doing this workshop is sitting in a circle every meeting and slowly learning about every individual in the room, also seeing new perspectives on different topics we discuss together.

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goals to make a change within our local community.

What has been most impactful about your participation in the program?
I have learned so much from both the program and the other ambassadors. I've felt like I've grown as a person from hearing all the stories and experiences that the other ambassadors have had. Something that was also very impactful about my experience is I have learned how to participate and be a change-maker within my community and how to help share that opportunity with others.

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has been most impactful about your participation in the program?
It's been an eye-opening experience in many ways, and I feel like I understand the viewpoints of other people better now. Show less

have been able to develop leadership skills and make connections with others who are equally as passionate and amazing & genuinely want to make a difference in their community and inspire positive social change.

What has been most impactful about your participation in the program?
The story circles. It is a time to be vulnerable and not only to get to know one another, but to dive into topics we feel like aren’t talked about or “taboo” in many places. Story circles always open up my mind and there isn’t a time where I have felt bored or irritated at one. It is truly my happy space!

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Program, I wasn't educated on how to take action. The Youth Ambassador Program changed that for me and has taught me a lot of lessons and has allowed me to gain beneficial experiences.

What has been most impactful about your participation in the program?
The most impactful thing about my participation in this program is the ideas and skills I have contributed to the program's meetings and events. I work well with others as a team and know when to take a step forward in leadership. I strive to have a positive attitude and persevere even when things get challenging. Also, I often find myself contributing my artistic ideas and skills to any aspect of any project I am presented with.

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accomplished and the dedication they put into the program. I really wanted to make an impact that big, these were the people I talk about: people who make a difference. Hearing about the commitment was inspiring. I knew I would always be too afraid to try something that grand and important, so if I just forced myself to get past that initial bump I would just have to work from there.

What has been most impactful about your participation in the program?
For me, the most impactful experience I've had in the program was the mutual trust the Ambassadors have when making decisions. We are given freedom and a voice, and it is so uplifting to feel the mutual respect we have. We are given a space to let our ideas become a reality. I have always had things to say with no outlet to communicate through. And now I feel like I can make a difference.

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participation in the program?
The impactful thing has been getting to know my fellow ambassadors on a more vulnerable level. I also find it impactful when I learn more about certain social issues in the world. Show less

about your participation in the program?
I have been greatly impacted by every single other youth in this program. They have this hunger and ambition to make a better world for everyone. Show less

program?
Exposing me to global issues and giving me an outlet to work towards a resolution with a group of great peers. Show less

need for engagement seemed like one of the most important things in my life at the time and I was presented the opportunity so I took it.

What has been most impactful about your participation in the program?
I have learned a lot about the spaces around me. There were a lot more injustices than I would ever know about going on outside of my city. The connections that I have realized that are available to me, as well as the other Youth Ambassadors who inspire me to want to do more and keep me grounded.

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I didn't know where to start, I knew that was what this program was about. Being able to play a part in making change with other people my age was an opportunity that I felt was very special and worth being a part of.

What has been most impactful about your participation in the program?
The most impactful part of my participation in the program has been the community that it has allowed me to be a part of. Being able to work and share life with such an empathetic, kind, and optimistic group of high schoolers who want to make change is something that I could never have imagined and am so grateful for. This program has opened my eyes not only to how much our world needs people who are ready, willing, and able to love one another and make change, but also to how many of these people are already out there and putting in the work to help our global community grow.

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and intersectionality drew me in as important characteristics that I aspired to carry into my service. These core goals are rooted in our work, dialogue, and connections in a meaningful way that has empowered my future leadership.

What has been most impactful about your participation in the program?
This program has revealed the many mediums of change both in and outside of my community. The amazing opportunities to collaborate with the Gates Foundation Discovery Center, Amplifier, and other students have opened my eyes to the ways I can utilize my strengths to also impact the world. I am so grateful for the dedication that these adults have shown to youth and their consideration of our ideas.

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