Youth MOVE Suncoast, hosted by NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties, is proud to announce it recently received the Chapter of the Year Award from Youth MOVE National. Founded in 2007, Youth MOVE National is dedicated to uniting the voices of youth nationwide. With chapters spread throughout the nation, the organization is founded on three principals: youth are the leaders of today, not tomorrow; all youth should be equal partners in the process of change; and youth can motivate others through their voices of experience. In 2021, NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties launched the local Youth MOVE Suncoast chapter to develop safe spaces for youth and young adults (ages 10-29) to connect in a supportive environment that would address mental health needs while engaging in fun activities. By design, Youth MOVE Suncoast’s programs are developed and led by area youth and young adults. Each month, Youth MOVE Suncoast hosts meet-ups in which area youth ages 13 to 18 assemble for group activities at NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties’ YANA (You Are Not Alone) Center off Tuttle Avenue. Those ages 18 to 29 are invited to participate in a weekly online meet-up to discuss their challenges and successes and to learn from and lean on each other. On Sept. 25, 2023, Youth MOVE Suncoast partnered with SRQ Strong and provided two representatives to present their personal testimonies during a webinar titled “It Takes a Community: Prevent Youth Suicide.” More than 70 viewers tuned in via Zoom and Facebook Live. In addition, members of Youth MOVE Suncoast have partnered with Safe Children Coalition to provide support group activities for youth, including yoga activities during the summer months and, most recently, monthly uplifting meetups. Most notably, Youth MOVE Suncoast partnered with Dr. Margaret McGladrey and the University of South Florida to better understand how youth and the community can serve youth and young adults through programming post-pandemic. The project included a photo activity in which participants were asked to submit photos and captions of barriers and supports as it relates to mental well-being. Large and small group discussions and focus groups also were held. The initiative resulted in a list of concerns (or barriers) that young adults and youth face. The activity also resulted in a long list of support activities that would help with their mental well-being, including more cost-effective activities, music and art, LBGTQ+ friendly/safe places, games, mentorships, the ability to meet new people, and the ability to help more people understand their needs. Meanwhile, Youth MOVE Suncoast continues to partner with other organizations to give youth and young adults an opportunity to make a difference. On February 24, 2024, the organization is working with ALSO Youth to host a beach cleanup at Siesta Key Beach. Youth will gather at 3:30 p.m. and clean the beach from 4 to 5 p.m. together and then watch the sunset. Anyone ages 10 to 29 is invited to join. For more information about Youth MOVE Suncoast or the Elevating Voices Workgroup, visit NAMISarasotaManatee.org, follow the chapter on Instagram at @YMSUNCOAST or contact Stonecypher at Jordan@NAMISarasotaManatee.org.