Pursuing ideals and passions in the workplace: Susan Burns Chong of the Youth Leadership Advisory Team
Late one night, after moving to Maine, Susan Burns Chong received a phone call from one of the young people with whom she had started a social action group several years before in New Jersey. The young man said, "Hey, I get it now. I know what you're trying to do. My life is worth something!"
Helping people to understand and value their own life experiences, however difficult, has been a passion for Susan. She was first drawn to working with vulnerable populations while studying sociology and human services at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. In 1999, Susan earned her Master's in Social Work from Rutgers University in New Jersey, where she learned about the power of individuals and communities using their experiences to create positive, lasting change.
After working with preschool children from at-risk communities in Minneapolis and teaching second grade at the Zuni Reservation in New Mexico, Susan moved to Maine and became the coordinator for the Parkside Community Policing Center in Portland, where she built relationships with teens, older adults, and families to promote safety and quality of life.
In 2005, Susan joined the Muskie School's Youth and Community Engagement Team. She is the statewide coordinator for Maine's Youth Leadership Advisory Team (YLAT)—a partnership of young people in or transitioning from foster care, the Muskie School, the Office of Child and Family Services, and the community. YLAT strives to create a better child welfare system. "YLAT is an exciting model for engaging young adults that allows them to develop their own leadership skills and to implement their own solutions for improving their lives and the lives of other youth in foster care," said Susan.
Founded in 1998, YLAT has continued to grow and expand its impact. YLAT groups exist in every DHHS district in the state and YLAT members are involved in activities that include developing policies, providing training, and creating resources. In 2008, the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard's Kennedy School named YLAT one of three finalists for the Annie E. Casey Innovations Award in Children and Family System Reform.
In 2010, Susan was awarded the Catherine A. Baron Award, which honors Muskie staff members for their commitment to professional development. With her award, Susan attended a course through the Interactive Institute for Social Change (IISC) entitled, "Facilitative Leadership: Tapping the Power of Participation." This workshop provided new insights on how to work with diverse partners with a balanced focus on relationships, process, and results.
Working with the extraordinary young people in YLAT, the Muskie team, and the adult partners continues to inspire Susan's work.