2026 Youth Executive Committee Town Hall

Youth Voice. Youth Action. Youth Impact.

From Listening to Action: Bringing Youth Research to the Decision-Making Table

Earlier this year, Build 2 Lead's Youth Executive Committee (Y.E.C.) facilitated listening sessions with young people across South King and Pierce counties. These conversations explored the conditions shaping youth safety, housing stability, mental health, substance use, and economic opportunity.

The findings reinforce something we have heard repeatedly in our work: young people do not experience these challenges in isolation. Housing instability affects mental wellness. Community violence disrupts education and employment. Limited access to mentorship and economic opportunities can make an already difficult transition into adulthood even harder.

Our youth leaders are now taking that research into the public arena.

On November 18, 2026, Y.E.C. is planning its second annual youth-led Town Hall, Youth Voice to Policy, bringing together young people, community members, researchers, and public officials to examine what can change through policy, funding, institutional practices, and community partnerships.

What the Research Tells Us

Our listening-session findings offer a compelling foundation for this year's conversations:

• 39% of respondents said fear of violence had disrupted their participation in school, work, or community events.

• 38% described their housing as less than very stable.

• 78% reported that vape products were easy for young people to access.

• 68% identified jobs and violence as major barriers to opportunity.

• 99% of post-survey respondents expressed interest in continued advocacy or leadership opportunities.

These findings are more than statistics. They represent experiences that young people want public institutions to understand and address.

Meet Our Featured Panelists

This year's planned discussion brings together leaders representing different levels of institutional authority:

Senator Claire Wilson — Washington State Senate, District 30Bringing a state policy perspective on human services, education, public investments, and opportunities to strengthen youth-serving systems.

Mayor Jim Ferrell — City of Federal WayDiscussing the role of city government in coordinating community safety, economic development, human services, and youth opportunity.

Chief Andy Hwang — Federal Way Police DepartmentExploring community-centered prevention, public safety, youth relationships, and partnerships that can help address violence before harm occurs.

Dr. Ali Rowhani-Rahbar — University of Washington Center for Firearm Injury PreventionProviding a public-health research perspective on violence prevention, youth-generated evidence, and strategies that address interconnected risk and protective factors.

What to Expect

The Town Hall will feature a youth-moderated, live podcast-style conversation. Y.E.C. members will present findings, ask panelists questions, and connect community concerns with the authority and responsibilities of the institutions represented.

Attendees can expect conversations about community violence prevention, housing and basic-needs access, mental health and substance use, workforce opportunity, and meaningful youth participation in public decisions.

Rather than ending the evening with general statements of support, Y.E.C. will seek specific next steps and commitments that can be documented and revisited with participating institutions.

Event: Youth Voice to Policy - Y.E.C. Town Hall & Live Podcast

Date: November 18, 2026

Time and location: Thomas Jefferson High School - 4:30pm-9pm

Community Partners and Supporters

We extend our appreciation to the organizations helping create opportunities for learning, resource connections, and community engagement.

Community resource partners: Public Health – Seattle & King County, NAMI South King County, CHOOSE 180, Green River College, Federal Way Black Collective, and Becoming H.E.R.

Sponsors and funding partners: Grandmothers Against Gun Violence, King County's Cannabis, Commercial Tobacco and Vaping Prevention initiative, and Black Future Co-op Fund.

Civic engagement and institutional partners: Poverty Action Network, UW Medicine, and Jesse Johnson.

Their participation reflects the shared responsibility of ensuring young people have meaningful opportunities to influence the systems affecting their lives.