232. Revolutionizing Youth Empowerment: Equipping "Youth-in-Care" with Legal Advocacy Training - Michelle Bain
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Overview
Meet Michelle. If you're looking for foster kids' superwoman, she's right here🦸🏾‍♀️ This badass attorney had a simple idea: teach youth from "care" the law ➡️ ensure they're equipped with the skills necessary for self-advocacy➡️ have them train their peers ➡️ watch justice unfold. Oh and pay the kids $20+/hr to learn! Michelle is taking Canada's child welfare system by storm, and our jaws are on the floor at the power in this mighty nonprofit. Tune in, bring Kleenex, wear waterproof mascara💪⚖️🤧
đź’ˇLEARN
-Why media training was essential to pair with legal training
-The origin story of Youth Empowering Youth (YEY)
-Lessons learned from listening to youth voices
-How to be an advocate for youth in your community (we need you!)
Today’s Guest
Michelle Bain, CEO & General Counsel, Youth Empowering Youth
“My aspiration as I was standing in that court room was that I wanted those youth to know what I know. If you don’t have that knowledge you are lacking that power.”
Episode Transcript
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Episode highlights
Michelle’s story and journey to where she is today (3:20)
The founding story of Youth Empowering Youth (14:00)
Youth Justice Warriors program (19:00)
Amplifying your voice for good (21:00)
Being an advocate in youth for your own community (27:00)
Michelle’s Dream for YEY (34:00)
A powerful moment of philanthropy in Michelle’s life (37:00)
Michelle’s One Good Thing: Be vulnerable. Put your story and yourself out there. (39:00)
powerful quotes
“You can even review a sentence that was already served.” -Michelle
“The fact that you invested in marketing and training, you fueled this movement with faces, names, and stories.” -Becky
“It’s the bystanders who are more powerful than the people in the system at times.” -Michelle
“Good lawyers represent your client’s interests, not your own.” -Michelle
“I decided to take that energy and bring it into what Youth Empowering Youth was doing.” -Michelle
“I listened for the words my clients are not saying.” -Michelle
“You have to read between the lines with trauma.” -Michelle
“Pay attention to what body language is saying.” -Michelle
“You have to listen for the things your clients are not saying.” -Michelle
“Pay attention, adult intermediaries. If you want to be a trusted grownup, you got to pay attention to what their body language is like.” -Michelle
“Know your knowledge, claim your power, and use it.” -Michelle
“My aspiration as I was standing in that court room was that I wanted those youth to know what I know. If you don’t have that knowledge you are lacking that power.” -Michelle
“if you don't have that knowledge, you are lacking that power and for the person abusing, you can see that you don't have that power, or you don't know how to use your power, and your voice, you're going to get taken advantage of.” -Michelle
Connect with michelle and youth empowering youth
LinkedIn / Website / Instagram
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Episode Sponsored by
Julie Confer, Becky Endicott, Jonathan McCoy & Michelle Bain
