Empowering Youth through Advocacy and Policy

We believe in youth.

At Big Thought, we believe that all youth have innate greatness and the potential to be and do whatever they set their young minds to. We envision communities where every young person is immersed and has the opportunity to imagine to Create Great.

For over 37 years Big Thought has stood in the gap for youth. We exist to empower greatness by equipping youth with the skills, competencies and and experiences needed for the 21^st century workplace. We prioritize youth agency and work to create space for young people to be co-creators of and advocate for the change they want to see. We advocate for policies that improve and advance systems that impact a youth’s life and ability to succeed.

Creativity (n): The ability to IMAGINE new ways of solving problems,
approaching challenges, making connections, or creating products.
Creativity is not based on a formula, but on thinking that relates to
discovery and inquiry. — Creativity in Learning (Gallup)

Developed by Big Thought, The Creator Archetype is a 21st Century skills framework outlining the skills, competencies and experiences that equip and empower youth to imagine and create their best lives and world. Among the five key domains of the framework is Civics & Service and a recognition that Creators are participants in their communities.

2025 Policy & Advocacy priorities

Equity in opportunities

Protect & Support Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Policies

Advocate for policies which incorporate SEL into both in-school and out-of-school educational settings.
Emphasize the return on investment (ROI) for SEL programs (11 to 1), showcasing the alignment of academic and life skills education.
Advocate for creating positive learning environments to enhance student focus, confidence, and academic success.

Pathways for Opportunity Youth (OY)

Push for a standardized definition of Opportunity Youth (ages 16-24 disconnected from school and work) to be adopted across state agencies.
Advocate for policies and programs that allocate resources to support Opportunity Youth with education, training, and employment opportunities.
Address economic and social mobility barriers such as limited access to quality education and career opportunities to improve economic stability for Opportunity Youth.

EXPANDED LEARNING & OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME

Expanded Learning and Out-of-School Time (OST) Programming

Advocate for policies that allocate critical funding to afterschool and summer learning programs, addressing unmet demand and ensuring accessibility for underserved populations.
Highlight the need for increased access to affordable OST programs, where demand far exceeds supply.
Emphasize the role of OST programs in supporting academic achievement, social-emotional learning, food security, and childcare for families.
Support policies that integrate creative, critical thinking, and innovative activities into OST programming.
Work with policymakers and community partners to expand comprehensive frameworks that combine academic instruction with hands-on learning, apprenticeships, and skill-building opportunities.

School Transformation and Best Practices Integration

Advocate for policies that recognize and integrate apprenticeship programs and credit-for-outside-learning into educational systems, allowing students to gain practical experience and academic credit simultaneously.
Promote policies that encourage learner-centered and community-engaged educational practices tailored to individual student needs.
Partner with educators, policymakers, and stakeholders to create school environments fostering collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and a sense of belonging.

JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM

Decriminalization of Running Away as a Status Offense

Advocate for repealing the status offense of running away from home in Texas, recognizing that many youth run away due to circumstances beyond their control, such as unsafe or abusive environments, school difficulties, or unmet mental health needs.
Propose legislation that redirects youth runaways to supportive services rather than the juvenile justice system.

Prohibition of Juvenile Detention for Status Offenses

Support legislation that prohibits the detention of youth for status offenses, including running away, whether pre- or post-adjudication.
Ensure alternative interventions, such as emergency shelters and crisis intervention services, are prioritized over detention.

Redirecting Youth to Supportive Services

Advocate for policies that provide access to emergency shelters and crisis intervention services through the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) as a response to youth runaways.