Empowering Youth: How DAYUM is Shaping Climate Action
In the bustling Love Building in Detroit, Julia Cuneo is creating waves with her work at Detroit Area Youth United Michigan, or DAYUM. This youth-led organization focuses on climate justice and the fight against book bans.
Julia is straightforward about activism. “It’s mostly meetings and emails,” she laughs, reminding us that real change requires a lot of groundwork. As the strategic coordinator, she considers herself an “adult ally,” helping students organize and campaign effectively.
Founded in 2018, DAYUM is unique because it is led by high school students. They steer strategies, recruitment, budgeting, and campaigns. Julia emphasizes that this approach aims to change systems, not the young people involved. It’s about empowering youth to address pressing issues like floods, pollution, and climate anxiety—issues they face today.
Julia’s passion for activism started early. Her first protest was in fourth grade against the Iraq War. “I didn’t know how to protect myself or work together,” she recalls. This realization drives her now; she wants to equip young people with crucial organizing skills.
DAYUM builds campaigns around the lived experiences of these young activists. Notably, their climate campaign grew from discussions about mental health. Students shared how climate anxiety affected their well-being. “The link between climate and mental health was striking,” Julia notes.
In response, DAYUM is pushing for a statewide climate justice curriculum in Michigan’s high schools. This curriculum aims to focus on systemic issues rather than blaming individual behavior. “Teaching kids that climate change is their fault is just wrong,” she asserts. The task force designing this curriculum incorporates student voices—something often missing in adult-led discussions.
Young people, Julia says, often feel dismissed. At DAYUM, they find a supportive space to build confidence. “They want to take action now, not in a few years,” she explains.
In addition to environmental issues, DAYUM also tackles book bans, highlighting the importance of free expression. Julia wants young organizers to develop diverse campaigns and continue their activism beyond high school.
On a personal note, Julia envisions a Detroit that prioritizes access to nature—better parks, cleaner rivers, and more public spaces. “We need to create areas where people can gather and enjoy the outdoors,” she expresses.
As Julia plans her transition from DAYUM over the next two years, she looks forward to seeing former youth members step up as adult staff. “I’m part of a collective, not a solo act,” she shares.
DAYUM is also hosting a youth summit in May, uniting students and lawmakers. Julia hopes this will help young people realize that lawmakers are just regular people—and that they can influence their communities, too.
The young activists at DAYUM are not waiting for change; they are making it happen. With their collective energy and commitment, the future looks brighter, both for them and for the planet.
For more on climate activism trends, check out reports from The World Resources Institute.
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climate justice,Detroit,environmental education,neighborhood reporting lab,youth organizing
