The Hang Haven Blog

Thinking Beyond the Obvious

This is where I think out loud about the issues shaping young people's lives and the systems behind them. I write about what I am learning about systems thinking, what I am discovering through Hang Haven sessions, and conversations with people working to understand and improve the systems around us.

Latest Posts and Interviews

These posts explore systems thinking through issues that affect young people and their communities. Some are reflections on what I am learning and what happens during Hang Haven sessions. Others are conversations with community leaders, nonprofit partners, educators, and teens whose experiences can help us look at an issue from a different perspective.

Articles

The People Behind the Work: Why Community Partners Matter

Civic learning can start with a conversation, but it should not end there. This article looks at why Hang Haven partners with organizations like Second Story and Food for Others, and how their work helps students understand issues like housing instability, food insecurity, and belonging in a way that feels more real.

What I Learned When Middle Schoolers Talked About Social Media

When we talk about social media, adults often focus on screen time, distraction, or comparison. But during our Hang Haven discussion, I noticed something I wasn't expecting: students already understand that social media shapes how they see themselves and each other. What stood out to me was what young people noticed once they had space to talk honestly.

I Wish I Had Learned to Think in Systems Sooner

A snowstorm. A conference on civic leadership. And one question that I couldn't shake: why didn’t they teach me this earlier? This article is about my introduction to systems thinking, why I believe middle schoolers are ready for it, and what happens when high school students take the lead.

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