Youth activism has been a powerful force for change and progress. When young people step up and speak out, they bring fresh perspectives, boundless energy, and unshakeable determination in the march toward justice.
Through learning that teaches honest history, introduces servant leadership (an approach that focuses on leadership in service of the community) and eases entry into the movement for justice, we aim to help young people realize their power to shape the future.
Youth LFJ offers action toolkits, learning journeys, book reviews and resources for young people and adults working to support them. We will continue adding resources to this page.
[Updated Oct. 2025]
Learning, Reflection and Action
Change Starts Here (With Me): Day of Action Toolkit
This toolkit engages young people in the movement for justice to understand nonviolent direct action and participate in action for change in their communities.
Introduction to Action Planning: Toolkit
This toolkit facilitates an introduction to action planning, offering a structure for planning individual or collective action for change.
Reading for Justice
To build bridges of understanding and celebrate our diversity and shared humanity, we offer our favorite book reviews for teens and young adults.
History and the Power of Place
Video and Q&A conversations with Civil Rights Movement activists and witnesses to history.
Learn From and Honor Black History
Black history is central to our nation’s story. We deserve to learn this history in all its complexity — and in ways that are accurate and comprehensive.
Freedom Summer and Today's Election Process
This overview of Freedom Summer 1964 in Mississippi — a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement — connects to actions for strengthening democracy today.
Our Votes Matter: Action Steps in Planning to Vote
At this crucial moment in our nation’s history, all our votes matter. Act now in planning and ensuring your ability to vote. This resource provides action steps for participating in today’s election process.
Media Literacy Is Vital for Informed Decision-Making
Media literacy — being able to access, analyze and evaluate information for accuracy and reliability across a variety of mediums — is crucial for us to make informed decisions.
Understanding Voter Suppression in Today's Election Process
Strategies to suppress voting undermine democracy and have increased over the past two decades. Recognizing and countering voter suppression today is critical.
What Is Social Justice Education?
Scholar and educator Lee Anne Bell explains social justice education and highlights its role in actively countering injustice and helping to build an inclusive democracy for the benefit of all.
Why Public Schools Matter
Public schools are an ideal and vital mechanism for achieving a thriving democracy. This article focuses on public schools as a common good, exploring the possibilities and threats to public education.
The Role and Responsibilities of the Department of Education
This in-depth examination of the department can help understand the key responsibilities and the consequences of dismantling this vital federal agency.
Learning From the Civil Rights Movement Series
The learning journeys and resources in this series can help us learn from our history and examine today’s justice issues to answer the questions: “How can I make a difference?” “How can we make a difference together?”
Civics for Democracy Series
To strengthen democracy, we must understand the systems of government, politics and the media that shape society. The resources in this series can help to develop the civic knowledge, skills and dispositions essential for responsible democratic action.
Resisting Hate in Education Series
The resources in this series offer strategies to help us engage as a broader community across our differences and build networks to foster resilience and take action to resist hate and bias.
For Students, By Students
Youth activists co-create a scalable anti-racist curriculum with an emphasis on action to aid in the national fight for justice.
End Poverty. PERIOD.
Breanna and Brooke Bennett, student activists and founders of Women in Training, explain the impetus for their work to provide free menstrual products to all menstruating students.
ChangeMakers for an Inclusive and Just Future
LGBTQ+ youth activists from the ChangeMakers Leadership Institute advocate for inclusive education and community resilience in the face of oppressive legislation in Florida.