The Cedar Rapids-based Empowered Solutions Collective has announced the launch of “Cultivating Stories of Resilience,” a youth-led initiative, as stated in a news release from the consulting firm.
The initiative was developed in partnership with 2892 Miles To Go, a nationwide education program supported by the National Geographic Society, the release states. Empowered Solutions was selected to plan and facilitate 2892 Miles To Go in Iowa due to their expertise in sustainability, social justice, and youth engagement.
Co-founders Tamara Marcus and Sarah Blais, who launched Empowered Solutions in 2024, envision the inaugural program as a way to empower youth by placing them in leadership roles traditionally held by professionals. The program will allow students from Metro High School to collaborate with local nonprofits to address critical community issues.
Students in the program will lead and facilitate workshops with nonprofit leaders to focus on community storytelling and environmental justice. These efforts will culminate in a public capstone event showcasing the solutions developed throughout the program.
“The METRO STEAM Academy’s partnership with National Geographic and Empowered Solutions Collective, where students engage in real-world exploration, scientific inquiry, and storytelling to deepen their understanding of the world and their role in it aligns directly with METRO’s educational philosophy,” said Metro High Principal Mark Groteluschen, in the release.
Metro High School is the alternative high school for the Cedar Rapids Community School District, serving a population of 250-350 at-risk high school students, as stated in the release. The METRO STEAM Academy is a project-based, cross-curricular program inside of Metro High that allows students to gain science, social studies, and elective credit.
Empowered Solutions Collective selected Metro High School for this program because of Ms. Blais’s years-long history of collaboration with the school. She has worked closely with Metro High students and staff on multiple learning initiatives, fostering a deep understanding of the school’s strengths in hands-on, experiential projects.
“This project flips traditional power dynamics,” Ms. Blais said in the release. “By positioning students as leaders, we not only amplify youth voices but also equip our future generations with skills and confidence to tackle pressing social challenges.”
2892 Miles To Go, led by National Geographic Explorer Ashley Lamb-Sinclair, focuses on elevating untold local histories of justice, race, and equity through a geographic lens. According to the release, the program will collaborate with Empowered Solutions to foster narrative change, bringing overlooked stories in Cedar Rapids to the forefront.
“Storytelling is a powerful tool for addressing issues like environmental justice because it connects facts with lived experiences, making complex topics relatable and urgent,” said Mx. Marcus, in the release. “By sharing stories, we give voice to those most impacted by environmental and social challenges and inspire actionable change rooted in empathy and understanding.”
