How Community Action Team Youth Are Shaping What’s Next
By Evelyn Torres, Marketing & Communications Intern at Big Thought
Young people in Big Thought’s Community Action Team (CAT) are stepping into a new chapter as leaders, advocates, storytellers, and changemakers, grounded in the power of their own voices.
At Big Thought, we believe talent is everywhere. Access is not. That’s why we build with young people, helping them develop creative, hands-on skills that prepare them for school, work, and life. Through co-design, young people help shape the learning, the message, and what comes next.
That approach is coming to life in Community Action Team, where young people have space to grow as leaders, serve their communities, and help shape Big Thought through authentic co-design. CAT creates opportunities for youth to share their perspectives, build their skills, and contribute in meaningful ways.
During their first content workshop, CAT youth explored voice, identity, and impact—not just as a creative exercise, but as a way to reflect on what matters to them, how they want to show up, and how they can use their voices to shape what’s next. As someone helping capture and share Big Thought’s story, it was powerful to watch young people begin shaping their own—on their own terms. What stood out to me most was how intentional the youth were about what they wanted to say and how they wanted to show up.
Community Action Team youth dive into a dynamic conversation on amplifying youth voice across today’s most influential social media platforms.
At Big Thought, co-design means creating with young people, not just for them. Young people are not just participants in the experience—they help shape it. Their ideas, perspectives, and lived experiences influence what gets created, how it is shared, and why it matters. That spirit is at the heart of CAT. It is a space where young people lead through service, storytelling, and action—and where their voices are not just included, but truly valued. Opportunities like Civic Square are one example of what becomes possible when young people are trusted to lead. Watching that take shape in the workshop was a powerful reminder of why youth voice matters.
Ania Hodges, CAT Youth Advancement Manager, shared, “Our youth are deeply passionate and feel empowered to have a platform for their thoughts and ideas.” She added,
“We let the youth lead the way in shaping their voices and deciding what they wanted to create. It gave them space to share their own perspectives, think about who they want to reach, and explore how they can use their voice to help build a stronger community.”
With support from Big Thought’s Marketing and Communications team, the session introduced storytelling tools and frameworks while keeping youth ownership at the center. More than learning how to create content, CAT youth had the opportunity to define their voice, shape their message, and think intentionally about how they want to contribute.
Through CAT, young people are not only learning how to express their ideas—they are also growing as leaders, engaging in service, and helping inform the future of the work. Through that process, they are building confidence, strengthening communication skills, and developing the ability to lead with clarity and purpose.
