After a career in business working for manufacturing and software companies, Renee returned to get her master’s of social work from Washington University in St. Louis. Through examining national research and conducting qualitative focus groups, she found that a screaming issue among youth was a lack of healthy self-worth.
Renee developed the Strengths-Based Writing Program, designed to help youth gain self-insight and increase their belief in themselves while pursuing their passion for writing. After the program’s conclusion, she saw a need for longer-term support for students. She founded Youth Be Heard, a 501(c)3, to meet this need allowing for all youth to access support in publishing and writing their stories. Youth Be Heard is an online gallery for youth writing and art with the vision for all youth to believe in their own value and potential. With a mission to elevate youth voices so they can inspire each other and the world, Renee mentors and builds strategic connections to give youth opportunities to work with professionals in various forms of writing and art.
In addition to Youth Be Heard, Renee delivers programs and speaks on topics that include self-esteem, media literacy, positive youth development, impacts of pornography, and mental health.
I have found that media portrayal of society, gender roles, and norms to be some of the greatest influences in youth’s view of themselves. It is only when we are aware of these influences that we have power over the impact they have on us.
-Renee Childs
Renee is an invited speaker on youth, media, and mental health. She has advocated for youth among D.C. Legislators and published in several news outlets, including St. Louis Post Dispatch, Business Insider, and HuffPost.
Connect by email at reneechilds.sw@gmail.com.
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Instagram: @raisingthehumans
Linkedin: @reneechilds
Twitter: @iamreneechilds