At the same time, we support those youth in building skills that increase their individual and collective sense of power, wellbeing and material circumstances.

AFSC understands that many of the problems facing Black youth in the St. Louis community are rooted in how systems and institutions operate. These systems maintain racial disparities in incarceration, suspension and expulsion, educational attainment, and unemployment. Because of this, we aim to make change at the institutional and systemic level. 

Our youth engagement work includes the teaching of self-regulation and peer mediation techniques, education and support to develop organizing skills, and campaign development.

All of these efforts lead to the goals of increased community support and engagement with police alternatives.