“I opened up and realized I can talk to anyone” — Vika’s story about the “Teens for Teens” format
Vika is a regular visitor at the Place of Power. She jokes that she’s a huge fan of the space in all its forms — events, trainings, art classes — everything is marked in her calendar. So when she saw an announcement on Instagram about a new format called “Teens for Teens”, she didn’t hesitate for a second.
“I immediately thought I had to try. I wanted to improve my communication skills and prove to myself that I could do it,”, — the girl recalls.
The invitation to host her own event came from program manager Anastasiia. She offered several options — board games or a film club. Because Vika was busy preparing for her final exams, she chose board games and also agreed to lead Mafia. Before her first session, she was very nervous.
“I was afraid I’d mix up the roles or that something would go wrong. I even consulted psychologist Dasha — she calmed me down and explained how to talk to kids who sometimes cross boundaries, and how to properly explain the game’s rules,”, — Vika admits.
But the participants’ reaction turned out completely different from what she expected — no one criticized her. On the contrary, they encouraged her, helped with the game, and even played music.
“At first, they were a bit surprised that I was leading the session instead of an adult, but we quickly found common ground.”
For a month, Vika hosted board games every Saturday and Mafia twice a week. Her favorite was the board games: “There were more teens there, including my friends. It felt like our own little corner — no psychologists, just a group having fun and enjoying the moment.”
Sometimes, after the board games, there was still time left for Mafia, and occasionally, other participants would take on the role of host so Vika could play herself.
With each new session, she noticed changes within herself. Vika used to talk only to people she felt comfortable with, but this experience helped her step beyond that comfort zone.
“I realized I can find common ground with anyone — younger or older. At the Place of Power, teens always feel at ease, and that feeling spreads,”, she says.
The most touching moment came when it was time to say goodbye. When Vika told the group that Dasha was coming back from vacation and she would no longer be leading Mafia, the teens said they didn’t want her to leave. “They said, ‘Come back! We loved it so much!’ — that really warmed my heart.”
Now, Vika dreams of trying something new — for example, organizing a book discussion or a poetry workshop. She imagines teens bringing their favorite books, reading excerpts, and then discussing what the author wanted to say.
Her advice to peers: don’t be afraid. “Step out of your comfort zone — that’s how you grow, meet new people, and learn new things. A few months ago, I was shy and closed off, but now I realize that being a host is something I can do. The ‘Teens for Teens’ format gives you a chance to show others there’s nothing to be afraid of.”
💡 Want to host your own event at the Place of Power? Fill out the registration form and bring your idea to life through the ‘Teens for Teens’ format. Your event might become the place where others find friends, support, and inspiration!
