Post-Conference Pulse: What Empowerment and Resilience Mean to Our Community
- Tanitra P
- Apr 15
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 15
As part of the 2025 Embrace, Empower, Embody Parent & Youth Conference, Tender Steps of New York gathered input directly from participants through interactive polls. The results revealed powerful insights about how youth and families define resilience, empowerment, and the obstacles they face.
🌱 What Does Resilience Mean?
An overwhelming majority (93%) identified "the ability to keep going despite challenges" as their personal definition of resilience. This points to a strong collective mindset focused on perseverance rather than perfection.
💪 What Empowers People Through Difficulties?
Participants found strength in:
❤️ Support from family and friends
🏆 Achieving small goals
📚 Learning new skills
🧘♂️ Caring for physical and mental health
These responses highlight the importance of both internal growth and external support.
🚧 What Gets in the Way of Resilience?
The most common barriers reported were:
🔄 Facing setbacks and disappointments
💰 Financial struggles
🌍 Feeling isolated or unsupported
These responses underscore the real-world pressures many face and the need for systems that build community and economic stability.
💬 What Helps the Most During Tough Times?
When resilience is tested, the top coping strategies included:
🗣 Talking to someone who understands
🎯 Setting and achieving personal goals
🚶♂️ Taking breaks and focusing on self-care
💖 What Does It Mean to Embrace, Empower, and Embody?
To embrace: Most people described this as 🤗 “Accepting myself and my journey” or 🌍 “Welcoming new opportunities and experiences.”
To feel empowered: Participants felt most empowered when they were:
🏆 Achieving personal goals
💡 Learning new skills
😊 Feeling confident in who they are
To embody strength and confidence: Top answers included:
🧘♂️ Taking care of body and mind
🗣 Speaking up for themselves and others
🎯 Staying focused on goals
🧭 How Do Participants Feel Most Empowered?
When asked what makes them feel most empowered, responses reflected both external achievements and inner growth:
🏆 Achieving personal goals
💡 Learning new skills or knowledge
😊 Feeling confident in who I am
🤝 Getting support from my community
💪 What Helps Embody Strength and Confidence?
The majority said they feel strongest when:
🧘♂️ Taking care of their body and mind
🎯 Staying focused on goals
👗 Dressing in a way that makes them feel good
🗣 Speaking up for themselves and others
🔗 Dive Into the Full Report
You can explore the full poll results and visual summary here:📎 View the Post-Conference Report
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