Finding my voice
By Esmeralda Kizer / Board member and Teens for Tomorrow alum
As a teenager, I never felt like my voice mattered. I had thoughts and opinions about the world around me, but the adults in that world didn’t seem to value what I had to say.
Ten years ago, that changed when I got accepted into Teens for Tomorrow (T4T) at the Quad Cities Community Foundation. At the time, I couldn’t fathom that an organization would take the perspectives of high school students this seriously, offering us a platform and real dollars—$10,000 of them—to put that perspective into action.
This was just the start of a remarkable journey with the Community Foundation that a decade ago I couldn’t have imagined. When I decided to go to college, I needed all the financial assistance I could earn. I looked to the Community Foundation and applied for every scholarship I qualified for. I was blessed to receive one!
One year later, I was invited to the Community Foundation’s annual scholarship reception as the keynote speaker. I spoke about my goals and ambitions and how my dad taught me to never let anyone silence me. As I stood at the podium, watching the audience listen to my words, I saw how much my voice mattered.
Since then, the Community Foundation has shown up for me time and again, even awarding me another scholarship four years ago so I could finish my education. And it was then—during that moment of celebration for earning my degree—that I decided to give my time and talent back to the community. I began using everything I had learned about the community and philanthropy by joining the Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants Committee at the Community Foundation. As my voice grew even more powerful, so did my love for this community.
Fast-forward to a month ago, when I walked through the Community Foundation’s doors to have my picture taken as I joined the board of directors. I’m still in shock at being the first T4T alum and the youngest board member to serve in this organization’s history. On the board, my perspective will help guide how the Community Foundation transforms the region and the community through generosity.
Fifteen-year-old me would be so proud of who I’ve become and how far this community has come. The Community Foundation keeps showing how much they value not only my voice but the voice of the younger generations. I’m honored to be someone young adults can look up to and realize how powerful their voice really is.
There was a time I could barely whisper. Now, I can yell. And I choose to use my voice to tell people about the Community Foundation. I’m also using that voice to ask you to listen and uplift the voices of young people in your life. Just think, 10 years from now, what we could all achieve together.