OMM teens proudly take part in an event celebrating Generation Be There, a Born This Way Foundation campaign to train an entire generation in how to show up for one another with care and confidence.

Being there for someone does not require having all the answers. It starts with listening, leading with kindness, and learning the skills to support one another safely and confidently. With this idea as the focal point, connection and community were built among attendees at the May 21st Generation Be There event in Washington, DC.

Over 150 folks (over half of those being teens and young people) gathered to explore what it means to build a space for belonging at a time when many young people are experiencing isolation, exclusion, and fewer places to gather safely in community.

OMM was a proud co-host partner for such an impactful event that elevated local young leaders and youth-led solutions, increased visibility and support for community organizations, and generated support to expand the reach and impact of the Be There Certificate.

The goal of reaching 100,000 Be There Certificates earned is within reach, which puts us all on the way to a generation prepared to Be There!

Centering Youth & Community Leaders

To open the evening, attendees turned their attention to performances by OMM club members & their fellow students from Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Artist Lemonade Dream performed a powerful spoken-word piece that highlighted the impact of the news cycle and social media on teens today.

This was followed by a group performance of “Lighters Up” by four rappers, centered on the experience of growing up in Washington, DC, and creating electrifying energy in the room.  

Following the moving teen performances was a conversation on youth, mental health, and what it means to be there for others. OMM Teen Advisory Council members and Eastern High School club leader, Shaelyn Clark, took part in this fireside chat alongside Abhiram (Abhi) Sanku from the Ryan Bartel Foundation.

This discussion, moderated by Riona, a PBS News Hour Student Reporter, began with a reflection on what it means to be there for someone. Shaelyn spoke about the small things adults often overlook that can build trust and connection with young people, like showing genuine interest in what matters to them. She also noted that what has been most meaningful for her is when adults show some vulnerability in conversation, modeling for young people that it’s okay to be vulnerable too, which hit home for many audience members, both teens and adults.

Shaelyn and Abhi then discussed what peer support looks like in practice and what moments of connection or care have stood out to them. They each mentioned moments when someone has been there for them, or vice versa, and Shaelyn reflected on how her OMM club has created a great space for folks to check in on one another and just be in community.

A Call to Action for Community

The fireside chat closed with a call to action for the room from Riona: “I’m going to ask each of you in the room to finish this sentence: After tonight, one way I will be there for my community is…”

After a grounding moment of mindfulness led by Solidcore, it was time to hear from the co-host partner organizations in the room: Lacey Rosenbaum from the Ryan Bartel Foundation and OMM’s Director of Innovation, Rachel Greenberg. Rachel spoke about OMM’s commitment to the Be There Certificate and how we encourage all OMM leaders, members, sponsors, and even our own staff to get certified. She also reflected on how the narrative around teen mental health is shifting:

“While the focus has historically been on fragility, the people in this room are working to tell a different story. Teens are capable when they’re empowered, supported, and connected to a strong network of their peers and trust adults.” This rings true to OMM’s core mission of empowering teens to be leaders in the movement toward a day when no teen dies by suicide.

Then, it was time to come back to the call to action from the fireside chat. Attendees turned to their tablemates and discussed several prompts about the Be There Certificate: why it’s important to get certified, how we can boost certifications in our communities, and what support we need to do so. Dozens of young leaders from both OMM and the Ryan Bartel Foundation, along with caring adults in the room, stood up to share their thoughts and reflections. One OMM teen mentioned that he didn’t know the “right way” to support his friends before he joined his OMM club and took the Be There Certificate, and realized that it’s not about saying the “right” thing, but about being there. 

The energy and momentum in the room were palpable, with attendees clearly feeling inspired by the young leaders who demonstrated what it means to truly connect and be in community with one another through honest conversation and art. We all left with a desire to build on this momentum–and OMM is committed to doing just that!

To support Born This Way Foundation’s goal of training an entire generation to Be There, we are continuing to encourage all of our student leaders to get Be There Certified–this month, and always. And now, we’re calling on you! Born This Way Foundation is SO close to reaching 100,000 certifications, so whether you’re a teen, a parent, a community leader, or anyone who cares:

Get Be There Certified today! 

Thank you to Born This Way Foundation for their continued partnership and for including us as a co-host partner in this incredible event, and a huge shoutout to Shaelyn, the performers from Duke Ellington, and all of the inspiring young people who came out to lead the way for connection, community, and action. 

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