UNITY Youth Highlight
December gave Jalen Harvey a chance to learn about environmental care and community partnerships while balancing finals and time with loved ones. Her update described two gatherings that brought education and new ideas into the middle of a demanding college month.
Harvey served as Western Representative in UNITY’s 2023–2024 National UNITY Council Executive Committee cohort. The cohort connects regional youth councils and individual members, represents Native youth perspectives, and develops leadership through cooperation and service. Her reflection considered how learning from others could support the next part of her term.
At the American Indian Chamber of Commerce’s December luncheon and toy drive at the Arizona Science Center, Harvey joined UNITY staff and heard ideas for involving Indigenous communities in the center’s work.
The gathering connected her with a setting where community relationships and educational possibilities were being discussed together. She appreciated hearing what participants hoped to develop involving Indigenous communities at the science center.
Harvey also attended the Heal the Earth webinar hosted by UNITY’s Earth Ambassadors. That cohort supports Native youth environmental leadership, encouraging young people to care for the natural world and share that responsibility within their communities.
She described the webinar as “full of information and resources” and valued “being able to hear ideas to take care of our Mother Earth!!” Her participation connected the executive committee’s regional work with environmental learning offered by another UNITY cohort.
These experiences followed a busy fall of regional meetups, youth council visits, and national leadership opportunities. In December, school responsibilities and holiday time at home changed the pace, but she continued making room for learning and connection.
“If anything it truly motivates me to keep striving to do as much as I can, if capable, to continue helping the Western Region grow!” Harvey wrote.
Her account connects UNITY’s educational, social, and leadership development goals with respect for the natural world. Listening to ideas at the science center and learning from Earth Ambassadors each offered knowledge and relationships she could carry forward in her representative role.
For Harvey, the month was also a moment to appreciate the Western youth who entrusted her with that role and consider how she could continue contributing during the remainder of her term.
