On January 27, 2025, the Bounce Coalition convened our first Learning Collaborative at The Well Incubator for the Teen Talks project—a project designed to create a trauma-informed, youth-centered space where young people can openly discuss topics relevant to their lives while building social-emotional and resilience skills.

Supported by the Bounce Coalition through a grant from the C.E.& S. Foundation, this initiative is equipping out-of-school time providers with a structured yet adaptable framework that prioritizes youth voice and leadership. Unlike traditional adult-led programming, Teen Talks empowers young people to take the lead in facilitating discussions, fostering an environment where they can engage in meaningful conversations, connect with peers, and build confidence in their ability to lead.

Building on a Strong Foundation
This project expands on the success of Sowing Seeds with Faith (SSWF) and is now being piloted at three additional organizations:

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana (BBBS)
  • Backside Learning Center (BLC)
  • Kentucky Refugee Ministries (KRM)

Since receiving the grant, the Bounce Coalition has worked closely with these organizations to develop a flexible yet structured model that supports scalability while ensuring each site can tailor it to their community’s unique needs.

Key Elements of the Teen Talks Model
The Teen Talks framework is designed to:

  • Prioritize Youth Facilitation – Shifting from an adult-led structure to a model where youth lead discussions.
  • Create a Safe & Supportive Space – Ensuring all participants feel valued, heard, and respected.
  • Encourage Meaningful Conversations – Fostering engagement on topics that matter most to youth.

The Power of the Learning Collaborative
A critical aspect of the Teen Talks initiative is the Learning Collaborative, a space where participating organizations come together to:

  • Share insights and best practices.
  • Address challenges, including language barriers, transportation issues, and youth engagement.
  • Explore innovative adaptations to enhance program effectiveness.

Over the past month, we were grateful to convene, learn, and innovate together—reinforcing our commitment to fostering youth leadership in a trauma-informed way.

January 27, 2025 – Pictured here are various organizations (KRM, BBBS, BLC, SSWF, and Bounce) for the first Learning Collaborative.

As we continue to refine and expand this model, we remain inspired by the dedication of our community partners and the incredible young people leading the way. Teen Talks isn’t just a program—it’s a movement to elevate youth voices and create lasting change. Stay tuned for more updates as we grow this initiative and empower more young leaders across Kentucky!