youth  are really searching for identity and significance within the larger group of peers in preparation for taking their place in society. For them, the Easter bunny has lost its mystic lore. With their new-found voices they are also trying to balance family conflicts and societal promises with their realities. Historically, this identity progression from family-to-peer group-to-society presented few problems because family and society mirrored each other. Also, the adults understood the journey and ordered their social traditions to facilitate safe passage of our youth through this and subsequent periods of “becoming.” Fast forward to now! Today, this tumultuous struggle is anything but natural, orderly or safe. Whether down the street or just a tweet away, the peers are often guided by different values. The New Easter Bunny: Corporations and others, who profit from their inner conflicts, and from our community’s maladies, manipulate their identity-quest into one for material things. It starts in middle school. By high school, it has morphed  into a full-scale internal struggle for identity and voice. One day you greet the know- it-all-confident 30 year old! Next day you see the child needing cuddling and direction. Respond to the wrong one, and you’ve just set off World World III right in the living room, driveway, or mall. Though it’s a highly emotional time - to say the least - this quest is understandable. Our Betrayal: Sadly, many we charge with helping our youth - school systems, social systems, police, etc., don’t value our families, community or people. They ignore our highest aspirations and use this tumultuous period to break youthful spirits and/or to alienate our youth from the family, community and our people. Solution: While we can’t turn back the hands of time, we can equip them with the tools and skills to successfully navigate these rough waters. Where My Voice Begins (WMVB) is a youth-based course in 3 formats: 1. A part of our full-day school 2. A part of our weekend school 3. Weekend retreats It features three essential skills: • Emotional literacy and Authenticity  (communication & conflict resolution) • The Flow of Recognition (significance) • The Dynamics of Modern Oppression (alienation) Knowledge is not enough. Our youth must become skilled users of these tools to insure safe passage to adult-hood. Learn more and register @ www.wheremyvoicebegins.org 404.292-9002