When Local Circles opened in 2016, we set out to facilitate youth-led research in which young people pose their own questions and conduct research to inquire upon social issues that are meaningful to them. Since then, we have engaged 154 young people in our summer and afterschool programs. Our Youth Researchers have carried out projects around issues of interpersonal stereotyping, bias, interaction with the police, financial literacy, and positive mental health practices. We are incredibly proud of the work of our Youth Researchers and grateful for the growth we have experienced over the past eight years.

With that growth, change inevitably comes. Starting this summer, our Youth-Led Research Program will be housed with 482Forward, a coalition aimed at creating a Detroit where every student graduates ready to become a fully engaged participant in the world, equipped with the character and the capacity to negotiate their environment and change it for the better. This change was initiated by the news that after 8+ years of dedication, our Founder is moving overseas, and we can’t think of a better partner to steward our program in her absence. 482Forward has been committed to youth leadership, readiness, and community engagement for as long as we have and our Youth Led Research Program will continue to flourish within this partner organization, whose mission is so closely aligned with our own.

The teens who are currently working on research and action projects as a part of our afterschool programs have been invited to participate in the summer program with 482Forward and will experience no disruption. Once our current Youth Researchers have completed their current projects, Local Circles will close our virtual doors, and the program will have fully moved under 482Forward’s umbrella, with our Founder providing consulting support to the Youth-Led Research program on a volunteer basis.

We are so grateful for all of your support and your belief in our Youth Researchers. We are looking forward to seeing how the Youth-Led Research Program grows and blossoms under the support of 482Forward and we hope you will follow the program for years to come. If you know a Detroit-based teen who is interested in participating in the summer program, they can apply here, entering the referral code C1102 when prompted.

Best wishes,
Local Circles