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Find your voice
Practice interviewing, speaking, storytelling and expressing ideas with confidence.
NOW ENROLLING • WATERBURY GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION INITIATIVE
Your voice.
Your story.
Your future.
Built4Success is actively recruiting young people for Run It Back: Youth Voices — a current Waterbury gun violence prevention initiative built around youth voice, mentoring, media, leadership, opportunity and positive alternatives.
EnrollYouth spots are being filled now
ReferParents + community partners welcome
EngageHelp build safer pathways in Waterbury
BUILT4SUCCESS MESSAGE
Use your voice. Build your future. Help shape a safer Waterbury.
NOW ENROLLING • LIMITED COHORT
Run It Back
A youth-centered gun violence prevention initiative using media, mentoring, leadership and community engagement to create positive pathways.
BuildSkills
UseYour Voice
CreateImpact
🎙️ Podcasting
🎬 Media
🚀 Leadership
NOW ENROLLING•REFER A YOUNG PERSON•GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION•WATERBURY COMMUNITY•YOUTH VOICES•UPCOMING EVENTS•
NOW ENROLLING•REFER A YOUNG PERSON•GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION•WATERBURY COMMUNITY•YOUTH VOICES•UPCOMING EVENTS•
RUN IT BACK: YOUTH VOICES
Run It Back: Youth Voices is enrolling now.
If you are a young person, parent, school, coach, mentor, faith leader, community organization or Waterbury resident who knows someone who could benefit, help us connect them to the program.
CURRENT BUILT4SUCCESS INITIATIVE
Gun violence prevention is work our community needs. Join Built4Success in advancing this initiative.
Built4Success is currently carrying out a gun violence prevention initiative in Waterbury and is actively recruiting young people to participate. The approach combines structured opportunity, trusted relationships, youth voice, skill building and positive alternatives so prevention is something young people can experience — not just hear about.
Run It Back: Youth Voices is the kickoff program for this initiative. Built4Success is asking parents, community leaders, schools, youth-serving organizations and residents to help identify and refer young people who can benefit from the program while the organization continues its broader youth-development mission.
Protective relationshipsMentors, trusted adults and positive peer connection.
Positive alternativesMedia, leadership, trips, projects and community activity.
Youth voiceSpace to speak, create, be heard and influence the community.
Future pathwaysSkills, exposure, entrepreneurship and real-world opportunity.
COMMUNITY REFERRAL NETWORK
Help Built4Success reach the young people in this community.
We are looking for 15 volunteer mentors to each support one young person in the gun violence prevention initiative. Schools, coaches, mentors, faith organizations, recreation programs, parents, neighborhood leaders and community partners can also refer youth and help families connect directly with the program.
WHAT THIS IS
A place to be heard — and build what comes next.
Run It Back is built around opportunity, belonging and positive choices. Young people learn how to communicate, create, lead and connect while gaining experiences that can open doors long after the program ends.
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Create real media
Learn podcasting, audio, video and content production through hands-on projects.
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Build leadership
Strengthen communication, teamwork, decision-making and entrepreneurial thinking.
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Connect to opportunity
Meet mentors, community leaders and professionals while gaining exposure to new paths.
THE EXPERIENCE
More than a program.
Something you can actually use.
Podcast & Media Lab
Plan topics, conduct interviews, produce episodes and create media around issues that matter to young people.
Leadership & Entrepreneurship
Build confidence, communication, problem-solving and business-minded thinking.
Mentors & Community
Meet people doing meaningful work and learn how to build your own network.
Trips, Events & Exposure
Get outside the classroom through enrichment, community events and new experiences.
Confidence & Life Skills
Practice making decisions, managing conflict and showing up prepared for what comes next.
YOUTH VOICES
See and hear the work in motion.
Watch Built4Success videos, youth-created media, interviews and program moments directly inside the public app. Start with the featured Run It Back video below, then return for new Youth Voices content as it is released.
WHY BUILT4SUCCESS
Positive alternatives. Stronger voices. Safer communities.
Built4Success creates structured opportunities for young people to develop protective skills, meaningful relationships and a stronger sense of direction. The prevention mission is real — but the entry point is opportunity.
0Targeted youth paired with 15 mentors
0Core development pillars
Protective relationships • Positive alternatives • Youth voice • Future pathways
Protective relationships • Positive alternatives • Youth voice • Future pathways
0Connected path from interest to participation
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
Help us recruit, refer and keep the community engaged.
Join the Built4Success community to receive enrollment opportunities, referral reminders, upcoming events, Youth Voices videos, gun violence prevention updates and ways to support the work underway in Waterbury.
PROGRAM UPDATES
Enrollment & opportunities
Receive current enrollment information, referral opportunities and new ways for young people to get involved.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
What’s happening next
Get announcements for workshops, community events, program sessions, prevention activities and enrichment opportunities.
YOUTH VOICES
Watch Youth Voices
Built4Success videos and youth-created media are featured in the Youth Voices player above, with new content added as it is published.
FAQ
Questions? Start here.
We’ll update details as schedules, locations and cohort dates are finalized.
Who is this program for?+
The initiative is designed for young people who want to build confidence, media skills, leadership experience and stronger community connections. Final age and eligibility requirements will be confirmed with each cohort.
What will participants actually do?+
Activities can include podcasting, interviewing, media projects, leadership development, mentoring, entrepreneurship, community events, trips and youth-created content.
Why is gun violence prevention so visible on this site right now?+
Because Built4Success is currently launching a gun violence prevention initiative in Waterbury and needs youth, families and community partners to participate. Built4Success also provides broader youth-development opportunities, but recruitment and community engagement around this initiative are the immediate priority.
How do I register or refer someone?+
Use the Join the Program or Refer a Young Person buttons on this page. Built4Success will follow up with next steps.
WATERBURY • NOW ENROLLING
Help us put opportunity in front of young people.
Join the current cohort, refer a young person, or connect with Built4Success to support the prevention initiative.