webinar

Youth at the Frontlines

PAST EVENT
April 9, 2025

On April 9, GTY partnered with the National Collaborative for Transformative Youth Policy to amplify the voices of young changemakers. This collaboration focused on how young people are leading efforts to build a more equitable future amidst challenges such as federal funding freezes, rollbacks of LGBTQIA protections, and attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

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Top Takeaway

Now more than ever, it is essential to listen to and support the leadership of young people

Young changemakers are rising up in the face of growing political and social attacks—from rollbacks on LGBTQIA+ rights to cuts in youth-supporting programs. Despite these challenges, they remain grounded in community, driven by collective action, and committed to building a more just and equitable future.

Recording

More Takeaways

  1. Change is collective: Real change happens through community, not individual effort.
  2. Advocacy requires both resilience and care: Being a changemaker today is exhausting and, at times, disheartening. Yet, young people continue to show up—staying informed, grounded in cultural values, and pushing forward despite resistance.
  3. Think long-term: Grounded in the Indigenous principle of planning for the next seven generations, youth leaders see their advocacy as part of a larger legacy—honoring those who came before and preparing the way for those still to come.

Resources

A New Deal for Youth – Meet the changemakers

Press Release

What Can Philanthropy Do?

Philanthropy can support youth by:

  • centering their voices in decisions,
  • funding youth-led initiatives, and
  • ensuring access to resources for resilience and collective action.

By investing in long-term solutions and equitable opportunities, philanthropy can empower young changemakers to drive a more just future.

Memorable Quotes

I constantly believe and hope for a better future—not just for myself, but for all young people and for future generations.

—Fabian Mendoza, New Deal for Youth Changemaker

I come from people that have fought and are still fighting for me to have the privileges that I have today…that just keeps me grounded, and it drives me to continue this fight.

—Law-Rel Butler, New Deal for Youth Changemaker

Change isn’t something one person creates alone; it takes many.

—Rebecca Do, New Deal for Youth Changemaker

Speakers

Luis J. Hernandez

Power Building Strategist, National Collaborative for Transformative Youth Policy

Luis Jonathan Hernandez is a power-building strategist deeply committed to youth organizing and advocacy. As a former New Deal for Youth Changemaker, Luis played a key role in shaping the ‘Justice and Safe Communities’ demands, driving transformative policies that center community well-being.

A native of the South Bronx, Luis draws from his lived experiences to champion youth voices and address systemic inequities impacting marginalized communities. Previously, Luis served as the Deputy Organizing Director at the Democratic Party of Georgia, as the founder of Youth Over Guns, and as National Director of Campaigns + Youth Leadership at The Gathering for Justice. He currently serves on the Advisory Board at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy’s Center for Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Juvenile Justice.

Law-Rel Butler

New Deal for Youth Changemaker

Law-Rel Butler is from Providence, Rhode Island, and has been involved in organizing work since high school. He currently works for a nonprofit where he works with youth in his city, focusing on social and educational justice. As a New Deal for Youth Changemaker, he is dedicated to advancing equity and systemic change for young people.

Fabian Mendoza

New Deal for Youth Changemaker

Fabian Mendoza is from the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and is currently pursuing their master’s degree in American Indian Studies at Arizona State University, with an emphasis on Indigenous Rights and Justice. They are a New Deal for Youth Changemaker and a ‘Remembering Our Sisters’ Fellow with the Center for Native American Youth.

Rebecca Do

New Deal for Youth Changemaker

Rebecca Do is a first-year political science and history major at the University of California, Irvine. As a first-generation immigrant, they focus on poverty alleviation and work to address systemic inequalities. Their commitment to civil rights is reflected in their work as a student journalist, where they advocate for justice and amplify underrepresented voices.

Presented by

Grantmakers for Thriving Youth

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