YOUTH IDENTITY & LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
Confidence. Connection. Community.
When young people feel seen, heard, and valued, they don’t just grow. They lead.
That belief lives at the core of three of our signature youth initiatives: We Matter Now, EmbraceHer, and Embrace Them.
These programs center identity, leadership, and belonging for young people of color across West Michigan — providing safe spaces to learn, grow, and thrive together.
Empowering Young Men of Color
We Matter Now offers mentorship, education, and wellness support for young men of color. Grounded in belonging and empowerment, the program helps participants build confidence, leadership skills, and long-term vision for their future.
Key Components:
• Mentorship from local leaders
• Financial literacy and job readiness
• Mental health and wellness support
• Cultural affirmation and community building
Creating Space for Girls of Color to Be Fully Themselves
EmbraceHer is a safe, empowering program designed for girls of color to connect, lead, and thrive. It combines peer connection, self-esteem development, and leadership training to help girls navigate adolescence with strength and self-worth.
Signature Elements:
Annual leadership summit and year-round programming
Storytelling, creative expression, and sisterhood
Workshops on mental health, body image, and social advocacy
Led by and for women of color
Embrace Them: Where Leadership, Belonging, and Growth Come Together
Born from the success of both We Matter Now and EmbraceHer, Embrace Them is a summer experience designed for youth from both programs to come together, deepen their leadership, and explore their collective power.
Summer Programming Includes:
Joint leadership retreats
Collaborative projects and youth-led initiatives
Cross-gender identity exploration in safe, affirming spaces
Team-building, arts, and wellness activities
Built Through Equity. Backed by Community.
These programs were created through the Opportunity Initiative, United Way’s commitment to investing in BIPOC-founded and led grassroots efforts. What started as separate paths have grown into a shared movement — amplifying youth voices and building community leadership from the inside out.