The Swan Within | Meredith Harper Houston | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Swan Within is a program that uses ballet to empower sex trafficked youth, helping them heal from trauma and reclaim their identities.

Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] MEREDITH HARPER HOUSTON: Thank you, everybody. Thank you, Google. Thank you for inviting me. This is such an honor that I can't even believe is happening, walking in and seeing all the pictures and feeling-- the interest is astounding to me. It's a dark subject, but I believe the more that we talk about the problem of juvenile sex t... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍⚕️ Swan Within focuses on empowering sex trafficked youth through ballet and helping them heal from trauma.
• 💃 Instructors are chosen based on their empathy and compassion, rather than their dance technique.
• 👧 The program incorporates mental wellness exercises, such as mindfulness and affirmations, to support the girls' emotional well-being.
• 🛄 Swan Within aims to change society's perception of incarcerated youth and create awareness about the issue of juvenile sex trafficking.
• ❓ Volunteer opportunities and support for the program are available through the Swan Within website.
• 👶 Other cities and states can learn from California's victim-centered approach to addressing commercial sexual exploitation of children.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Swan Within identify and support sex trafficked youth?

Swan Within works closely with probation staff and mental health professionals to identify girls who have been sex trafficked. The program offers ballet classes to these girls, providing them with a safe space to heal and grow.

Q: How does ballet help the girls heal from trauma?

Ballet allows the girls to connect with their bodies and feel powerful. By teaching them to dance, Swan Within helps the girls develop a sense of agency over their bodies and a positive relationship with themselves.

Q: What other activities and services does Swan Within provide?

In addition to ballet classes, Swan Within offers other dance forms, etiquette classes, financial literacy lessons, and debate exercises. The program aims to provide holistic support and empower the girls to become productive members of society.

Q: How does Swan Within address the specific needs of LGBTQ+ youth?

Swan Within ensures that ballet is inclusive and for everyone, regardless of gender identity. The program offers history lessons on famous ballet dancers, teaching the girls that dance is for everyone, regardless of how they identify.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Swan Within is a program that provides ballet classes to sex trafficked girls between the ages of 14 and 18.

• The program aims to bring light to the issue of juvenile sex trafficking and to provide shared safety for children.

• It focuses on empowering the girls through ballet, helping them develop agency over their bodies and build positive self-esteem.