Youthprise and Project for Pride in Living are thrilled to launch the new Twin Cities Opportunity Youth Network (OYN)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2022
Youthprise is thrilled to welcome Kristy Snyder and Quincy Powe to the team as co-leaders of the new Twin Cities Opportunity Youth Network (OYN) where they will lead a new membership-based, collective impact coalition.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (April 22, 2022) — Youthprise welcomes Kristy Snyder and Quincy Powe who will lead critical, ground-breaking work through the Twin Cities Opportunity Youth Network (OYN).
“Young people are cut out of systems that align with what they need. They are disconnected from school and work because adult-designed systems often operate without youth voice, and there are barriers that prevent them from accessing these systems,” noted Kristy Snyder. Both Snyder and Powe envision a world where all youth are equipped to design their lives and to thrive.
Kristy herself has the lived experience of an “opportunity youth” whom the newly created OYN will serve. As a 16 year old, Kristy was forced to leave her home, and navigate the courts to become an Emancipated Minor. Kristy’s experiences as a youth have informed her professional passions, and she is dedicated to transforming what it means to have access to the system and the culture of power.
Previous to her role at Youthprise, Snyder taught at Baltimore City Public Schools and Minneapolis Community and Technical College where she built a new curriculum that called for self-reflection and culturally-rooted pedagogy. Her next career step was to begin tackling systemic inequalities with Project for Pride in Living to launch LEAP (Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential) at alternative schools and GED programs in Hennepin County to support young people who have had county involvement to envision their career dreams and make them happen.
Quincy Powe, a 27-year-old college student that is studying Political Science and plans to take his degree in political science to law school, putting him on the path to become a judge; where he plans to continue his work in advocating for young people, partnering with young people, and empowering the youth. Quincy has lived experience as an “opportunity youth” when he was a teenager. During his years as a teen, into his early adult years Quincy experienced homelessness and had to navigate different systems to get to a point of sustainability. His experience as a young person has prepared him for his career, which has been dedicated to uplifting, empowering, and inspiring young people.
In addition to volunteering with youth organizations, consulting with youth organizations and speaking on behalf of youth groups, Quincy worked to co-found Youthlink's Voices of Youth Advisory Council, to inform every level of the organization on decision making and to give recommendations to the organization. “I am proud to be able to continue to find ways to invest in our youth and partner with our youth, because when we do, we will always win,” shared Powe.
The OYN leverages collective membership organizing toward:
- Successful policy change and altered power structures
- Powerful practitioner data and implementation
- Narrative shifts
- Equitable and strategic resource allocation
The Inaugural Opportunity Youth Network launches virtually, Friday, April 22, 2022 at 12:00pm. Register here.
Youthprise, Project for Pride in Living and Twin Cities Opportunity Youth Network are grateful for the support and leadership of the John & Denise Graves Foundation to make this Graves Ventures project and forthcoming investments in opportunity youth possible. Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Kristy Snyder and Quincy Powe to the team!
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About Twin Cities Opportunity Youth Network
Twin Cities Opportunity Youth Network is made up of youth, direct service providers, community stakeholders, policymakers, and other coalition members who show up because they prioritize solutions for traditionally marginalized youth, ages 15-25. OYN members know that alone, they don’t have the time, capacity, or power needed to illuminate problems, solutions, and a level of strategic clarity beyond their own universe. Collectively, OYN can impact broad systems to reduce disparities on the population served.
About Graves Foundation
The Graves Foundation works to realize a future in which all youth in Minneapolis can achieve thriving adult lives. We focus on closing equity gaps and improving the lives of youth by supporting education, community-building, housing, and youth development in and around Minneapolis. We incubate people and ideas, grow and nurture networks, and act collectively.
Media Contact:
Kristy Snyder
kristy@youthprise.org
612-839-7118