What are the things that you care about that you want to change?

It’s a simple question. Yet it reveals something profound about how young people see the world.

At iCan Dream Center, we believe that students grow when they are seen, heard, and invited into meaningful conversations about the world around them. Belonging is not simply about being present in a room. It is about knowing that your voice matters once you get there.

Recently, our students had the opportunity to meet Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, who visited iCan Dream Center to share her journey into public service. Her story was filled with lessons about leadership, perseverance, and saying “yes” to opportunities long before they come with a title or a paycheck.

One moment immediately captured our students’ attention.

Commissioner Miller explained that some of her earliest leadership opportunities paid her in experience rather than dollars. The room erupted with laughter and disbelief. To our students, the idea of working without a paycheck seemed almost unimaginable.

Yet the lesson landed.

Sometimes the opportunities that shape your future arrive disguised as volunteer work, internships, mentorships, or chances to learn. The key is being prepared when opportunity knocks.

What followed was exactly the kind of conversation we hope to create at iCan Dream Center.

Our students began asking thoughtful questions about government, leadership, and civic responsibility. Their curiosity transformed the visit from a presentation into a dialogue.

The timing could not have been better. Several students had recently completed their Constitution Test and were eager to demonstrate their knowledge. Questions about the branches of government sparked discussion and gave students an opportunity to teach one another. It was a powerful reminder that when young people are given space to contribute, they often exceed expectations.

Then came a question that shifted the conversation in an unexpected direction.

“Do you have to speak badly about your opponent to win?”

Rather than immediately answering, Commissioner Miller responded with a question of her own.

“How does it make you feel when you hear that?”

The room grew thoughtful.

She shared that throughout her campaign she has made a commitment not to speak poorly about others. Her focus has remained on her values, her vision, and the work she hopes to accomplish. One student quickly pointed out that they had seen her on television and agreed that her messaging had always been positive.

In that moment, our students were learning something bigger than politics. They were learning about leadership, character, and the power of staying aligned with your values even when disagreement exists.

But perhaps the most moving question of the day was this:

“How do you decide who to vote for?”

Commissioner Miller encouraged students to begin with a simple exercise: identify what matters most to you.

The responses that followed were remarkable.

Our students spoke passionately about:

• AI regulation
• LGBTQ+ rights
• Access to mental health services
• Environmental issues
• Illinois School Cellphone Bans (of, course!)
• Voting rights

One student thoughtfully added:

“I am concerned about tax money being spent on frivolous things.”

Pause for a moment and consider that.

These are young people who are paying attention. Young people carrying global issues in their hearts. Young people thinking critically about fairness, policy, community, and the future they hope to inherit.

Far too often, young people are underestimated.

At iCan Dream Center, we see something different.

When students feel heard, they engage.

When students know they belong, they participate.

When students understand that their voice matters, they begin to imagine the impact they can have on the world around them.

By the end of the conversation, students made a collective commitment to vote in November, or in two years if they are not yet old enough.

That commitment mattered.

Not because of who they may someday vote for, but because they recognized that their voice belongs in the conversation.

We are grateful to Commissioner Donna Miller for not only sharing her story, but for listening.

Listening communicates dignity.

Listening builds confidence.

Listening reminds young people that their ideas have value.

At iCan Dream Center, we will continue creating opportunities for students to ask questions, explore possibilities, and discover that their voices deserve to be heard.

Because today’s questions become tomorrow’s leadership.

Want to inspire the next generation?
Volunteer to lead a vocational talk at iCan Dream Center. Share your career journey, your lessons learned and help students discover what’s possible. Contact us to get involved.