Finger Lakes Youth Forum

FLX Youth Forum

Let your voice be heard!

The Finger Lakes Youth Forum is a safe space created by students and for students to engage in productive conversations on difficult topics that matter most to them. Conversations take place each month on a virtual platform and serve to bridge connections across differing opinions within the student body. Conversations are professionally recorded to create a podcast to help share your message with our community.


Your Team of Student Leaders.

You’ll join a group of three other driven leaders within your school. Together, you’ll work with adults from Corning Incorporated, the Community Foundation and Sissy Siero Voiceover who will help prepare you to lead conversations and move from discussion to action.
We will also work to help connect you to local professionals, nonprofit leaders and other adults in our community who can help educate, enlighten, or guide some of your topics.

Who Makes a Good FLYF Leader?

We are looking for students who are self-motivated and passionate. A Finger Lakes Youth Forum Student Leader comes into conversation with an open mind and is willing to listen, learn, and change the world together.

What does Training Look Like?

There’s no doubt engaging in difficult conversations sounds scary – most adults have trouble too! Youth Forum leaders will participate in a training with Ken DeLoreto, from Provoke Learning, who will give you tangible skills to navigate these tricky conversations. Adults will always be on the call with you and meet regularly with you to plan for your upcoming forums.

How often do we meet?

Finger Lakes Youth Forum Leaders and adult coordinators will meet in-person in October for team building and orientation. Leaders will then attend a one-time virtual training to prepare for forums. We will then move into a monthly format:
Virtual Planning Meeting: meeting between FLYF Leaders and Adult Coordinators to prepare for forum. This is scheduled for a time most convenient for you and your Leaders.
Forum Prep: Prep for the forum with your FLYF Leaders on your own.
Virtual Youth Forum: Forum discussion with FLYF Leaders, Adult Coordinators, and FLYF Participants. This usually occurs in the evenings.

Adult coordinators are always available to meet, but most of the planning will be done on your own time with your fellow FLYF leaders!

Why Should I be a FLYF Leader?

The ability to engage in challenging conversations is a skill important to a productive society. You’ll gain important skills to bridge differences and create a more connected student body.

How Do I Become Involved?

Contact your school Principal or Jarvis Marlow-McCowin, ECSD's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Education Coordinator.