What does advocacy really mean for young people? At Elevated Thought (ET)—an art and social justice organization based in Lawrence and a valued community partner on Youth Pathways—it starts from within—not following someone else’s agenda but discovering the power of your own voice. “You can’t do this work authentically if you’re dragging the young people along,” says Marquis Victor, Elevated Thought’s Founder and Executive Director. “They need to understand why change matters, why their voice matters, and how that naturally leads to advocacy.” 

Through art, students practice vulnerability, reflection, and expression. In this creative space, confidence grows, questions arise, and critical thinking takes root. Art isn’t just about making something beautiful—through creative reflection, young people gain confidence, critical thinking, and the foundation needed to engage thoughtfully with the world. 

Inspired by Paulo Freire’s philosophy of education as liberation, ET helps young people awaken the power they already hold. Staff guide reflection, workshops, and curriculum so advocacy is thoughtful, informed, and authentic. “Once young people have that foundation of self, they can more readily internalize some of these challenges that they experience… what are these aspects of the context we live in? How do they impact you? And what can we really do about it?” explains Victor. 

Whether or not you live in Lawrence, you may have heard the term “receivership.” For the past decade, the Lawrence Public School system has been under state control, with all decisions made by a state-appointed receiver. This takes power away from the community in shaping how young people are educated. FREE LPS, a documentary produced by Elevated Thought Productions (ETP), explores the experiences of students, parents, teachers, and staff under receivership. The film clarifies this complex issue and invites viewers to support efforts to restore local control.  

The video reflects Elevated Thought’s belief that advocacy is strongest when rooted in lived experience. Many students featured didn’t even know their schools were under receivership. By turning their experiences into art and dialogue, youth claimed their voices, educating others and embodying Elevated Thought’s mission to use creativity as a catalyst for justice and change. 

ET also emphasizes giving young people space to create, both inside and outside the classroom. Their collaborations—from public murals to community activations—bring youth voices into the streets, beautifying spaces, fostering safety, and inspiring civic engagement.  “y’all just got to give them the space, the resources, and maybe some parameters to see what happens,” says Victor. 

Collaboration with public institutions brings its own challenges. Even with shared goals—supporting youth—nonprofits’ collaborative approach can clash with institutional systems built on control or competition. Still, Elevated Thought tackles these challenges with transparency, respect, and a focus on shared goals. 

“We both want success for the kids, and we should be able to find a way to make it work,” says Victor. He envisions “the whole community as a campus,” where resources, learning, and creativity are shared across the city—not confined to schools or institutions. 

Students who struggle to see themselves reflected in traditional education often thrive when given the chance to explore their creativity, leadership, and purpose through community-based experiences. Marquis envisions consistent, citywide opportunities for young people—especially those disengaged from traditional schooling—to learn and work alongside community organizations. Hands-on, real-world projects can re-engage students in learning while helping them discover purpose. 

One way ET puts its approach into practice is through its apprenticeship program, which includes tracks in Visual Arts, Photography and Video, Creative Writing, and a Social Justice cohort. The program began in 2021-2022 with 20 Lawrence High School youth working 12 hours a week at $15/hr for 33 weeks. Participation has grown steadily—to 30 students in 2022-2023 and 42 in 2023-2024—with plans to expand by at least 50% this year. These apprenticeships offer young people hands-on experience, creative exploration, and professional skills, preparing them to be not just creators, but leaders and advocates in their communities. 

For Marquis, success isn’t measured solely in data points, but in the voices of young people themselves—their stories, reflections, and ability to articulate how these experiences shape their growth and community connection. As he explains, “If young people can speak on it—if they can articulate the impact, why it matters to them, and the need of it, that’s the greatest indicator of success. I understand the value when we're trying to implement more quantitative data, but for me, qualitative data is always going to trump that because that means the data is coming directly from a young person, a participant, an emerging artist, a collaborating artist.” 

This approach comes to life in the journeys of the young people who pass through ET’s doors. Their experiences show how creativity, mentorship, and real-world engagement combine to foster growth, confidence, and civic agency. Two of these stories stand out: Sebastian Isaiah, whose art and resilience transformed his life, and Michelle Collado, who evolved from student to mentor while shaping the next generation of creators. 

“My name is Sebastian Isaiah. I was born in Lawrence, Puerto Rican. Growing up on the north side, the streets were full of challenges—crime was everywhere, and it was easy to get pulled into the wrong crowd. Before I even knew about arts programs, I was already drawn to expressing myself through freestyle and writing about life in the streets,” he says. 

Sebastian’s journey into the arts started in high school. His college prep teacher, Ms. Busking, noticed his talent for writing poems and songs and encouraged him to apply to a program called Little Talk. “I didn’t care much about the money—they paid us—but I was more excited about the opportunity to write and explore photography. I wanted to be the first on my street to do something different than freestyling,” he says. 

When Sebastian joined ET, he was entering a world very different from the streets. “It was queer-friendly, expressive with art and feelings, and that was new to me. I’d grown up thinking it wasn’t ‘cool’ to express yourself in that way, so at first, I was quiet and hesitant. But soon, meeting people from different schools and backgrounds opened my eyes,” he says. 

ET gave Sebastian confidence and a sense of belonging. “The first time I performed at a festival, I froze—I couldn’t even get two words out. But the staff helped me step into my artistry, and they even paid me for it, which I’d almost forgotten. It gave me motivation to stick with it, to take a risk beyond the streets, and to invest in something meaningful,” he says. 

Over four years, Sebastian evolved from a creative writer into a multi-talented artist. He expanded into photography and learned to balance his work with school. “I wanted to do both writing and photography. Elevated Thought supported me through difficult times, even when I faced homelessness, and encouraged me to keep my education on track. They gave me clothes, supplies, and the support I needed to continue,” he says. 

For Sebastian, Elevated Thought isn’t just a program—it’s family. “It means family and hope. It took me out of the streets and gave me a perspective on life I didn’t have before,” he says. 

Looking ahead, Sebastian dreams of a future in the entertainment industry, whether as a musician or working behind the scenes as a director. “Elevated Thought helped me see that there’s more out there for me. It’s a risk worth taking, and it showed me what I’m capable of,” he says. 

Growing up in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Michelle Collado developed a passion for creativity that would guide her journey. She is now a creative producer at Elevated Thought, but her connection to the organization started long before she held that title. “I joined when I was maybe 15 or 16,” she says. A high school friend introduced her to the program, which at the time focused on workshops and creative development—a perfect fit for her budding interests.  

Back then, the organization didn’t yet have an apprenticeship program, and meetings were held in the basement. Michelle attended a few times a week. “It became like a third space for me, a place where I felt comfortable,” she says, reflecting on how the organization became a haven outside of school. “I just wanted a creative outlet that's not  confined within public school walls. I just wanted a way to create freely.” 

Michelle was also drawn to Elevated Thought’s focus on social justice. “A lot of people who were there had the same desire to learn and make change,” she says. During high school, she joined the Lawrence Youth Council, affiliated with Elevated Thought, attending forums and addressing issues in the public school system—a formative experience in civic engagement. 

After graduating high school, Michelle continued to stay involved, working part-time during summers, participating in murals, and contributing to various projects. One of her favorite recent projects was a three-part video series showcasing apprentices talking about their work. “It was really fulfilling to create and help someone else share their story,” she says. 

Her time at Elevated Thought has been about more than professional development. It’s been a place of personal growth, creative exploration, and meaningful collaboration—free from hostility. “The people and the atmosphere keep me coming back,” she says. 

Michelle’s creative work spans painting, video, photography, and more. While she studied film in college, she credits much of her skill-building to working alongside talented peers on collaborative, project-based work. This environment has expanded her expertise into areas like graphic design and new software—skills she might never have explored otherwise. 

Reflecting on her experience, Michelle notes the importance of community and shared passions. “It’s about being around people with similar goals and working together,” she says. For her, engaging with the community has fostered empathy, selflessness, and a collaborative mindset that extends beyond creative projects. 

From a high school student seeking a creative outlet to a professional guiding the next generation, Michelle Collado’s story at Elevated Thought is one of growth, connection, and unwavering dedication to both art and community. “I started out as a student, learning… and then I learned how to teach that in my own way. I’m a teacher in life,” she says humbly, noting she’s not formally certified. 

At Elevated Thought, art, education, and advocacy are inseparable. By giving young people the tools, guidance, and creative freedom to explore and express themselves, the organization cultivates a generation of thoughtful, empowered advocates ready to shape a more just and vibrant community.