Student Voices, Lived Experiences
Symposium Series
Student Voices, Lived Experiences Symposium Series
February 2024
May 2024
December 2024
April 2025
More Information
February 2024: Student Perspectives on Mass Incarceration (in collaboration with The Workshop School)
The Workshop School’s 10th grade students led a city-wide gathering of youth to explore the history, statistics, and policy on mass incarceration and its impact on them.
May 2024: Youth Documentary Film Explorations of Gun Violence (Shameka Sawyer’s 5 Shorts Project)
“Bout Mine I Matter Full Circle” is a succinct documentary that focuses on the profound experiences of three individuals: a survivor of gun violence, a person directly impacted by such violence, and an activist with a history of incarceration. This film aims to provide a comprehensive and insightful perspective on the issue of gun violence. A screening of this film was followed by a Q&A session with our youth participants, the producer, and activists featured in the documentary.
This event was co-sponsored by PennGSE’s Office of School and Community Engagement and HEARD (Hub for Equity, Anti-Oppression, Research and Development).
December 2024: From Foster Care to College – The Experience of Students in Foster Care Transitioning to
Higher Education
For students in or aging out of foster care, transitioning to higher education can be especially challenging without resources and support. As the majority of youth in foster care aspire to attend college, effective policies and practice should be implemented to promote enhanced college attendance, retention, and graduation. In this session, you will hear from a panel of college students and/or graduates, each with experience in foster care, to share their insights about how the transition from high school to college and beyond can be supported for this population.
This event is co-sponsored by the Office of School and Community Engagement (OSCE) at PennGSE and the Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice & Research at SP2.
April 2025: From Community Solutions to National Change – A Film Series on Opioid Awareness & Action
Part 1: The Art of Survival (April 16, 2025)
Change Begins Here: Local Voices for Harm Reduction & Recovery
Experience the power of creativity and community in fostering harm reduction. Part 1 of the documentary series presents The Art of Survival by Hidden River Films. In this session, we highlight grassroots efforts and community-led solutions, showing what’s possible when individuals and communities come together to address opioid addiction.
Part 2: Silence on the Streets (April 30, 2025)
A National Call for Change: Facing the Opioid Crisis Together
Understand the national opioid crisis, prevention, and systemic challenges, and how local action fits into and contributes to larger national strategies. Part 2 of the documentary series presents Silence on the Streets by Vintage Soul Productions. In this session, we shed light on the unique challenges faced by individuals and their paths to recovery.