At seven years old, Ayah Aldoum sat cross-legged on the floor of her birthday party, listening as her uncle flipped through the pages of an old comic book. He read aloud the story of Supergirl: her strength, her loss and her determination to keep going no matter what. For Aldoum, this would go on to become more than just a story. Soon, she began to see what it meant to stand up for others, and, eventually, she would try to do the same in her own life.
Now a freshman at Lindbergh High School, Aldoum is the president of Youth for Justice, a student-led club that meets twice a month. Focused on social justice issues such as homelessness and literacy, the club offers students a space to learn and take action. What began as inspiration from her childhood has grown connected to her school community.
“The story behind Youth for Justice was [when] I was in Chick-fil-A and these girls were talking about politics behind me, and about social justice — homelessness was a major one they were talking about. Then, they said at the end, ‘but what can you do?’…I feel like students don’t realize the power and ability they have to [make change].” Aldoum said.
Youth for Justice centers around the idea that all people have a voice that deserves to be heard. Open to all students at Lindbergh High School, the club concentrates on one issue at a time, building projects such as book drives and homeless care kits.
“Ayah is one of the sweetest people I know, but also never afraid to use her voice and speak up for what is right. She has never been one to hide the way she feels about just about anything, always stepping up in situations where something is unfair. She’s so empathetic, helpful and caring. All of our projects so far have been organized by her, and they’ve all been flawless,” Kaily Hunter, a Lindbergh student and Youth for Justice social media chair, said.
This year, the club has brought in several outside perspectives, including a Zoom session with an immigration attorney, helping students connect what they learn to real-world experiences. What might have felt like less important topics became immediate through these
conversations, giving students a way to learn about how laws, policies and systems directly affect individual lives. Instead of simply reading about issues, members were able to ask questions and hear personal stories. Because of this, they could further comprehend several complex topics in a way that feels more real.
“Being a part of Youth for Justice has made me a lot more comfortable using my voice in situations where I feel it needs to be heard. Perspective-wise, it’s made me a lot more focused on issues I wasn’t as educated or passionate [about], which I am very thankful for!” Hunter said. “Education is something I deeply value, and Youth for Justice has educated me on a multitude of topics.”
Alongside these conversations, the club has also taken on projects that give students the opportunity for direct contributions to their community. One of their most notable projects has been organizing “homeless care kits,” which included necessities such as hygiene products, food and handwritten cards. These cards, though they may appear small, could remind recipients that they were seen and valued, not just helped. In addition, Youth for Justice hosted a book drive for the entire school, focusing on encouraging not only members but also the student body to participate.
“We do monthly service projects…this year we’ve focused a lot on homelessness and the literacy rate in our country/city. Each year we plan to focus on new topics besides those from the year before,” Hunter said.
These projects underscore that the club not only discusses issues but responds to them in meaningful ways that can assist others. Youth for Justice does not limit itself to a single topic. Discussions within the club have also often expanded to issues including climate change and globalization. Members are encouraged to explore how these issues connect and to recognize that social justice is not made up of singular problems, but of overlapping problems that affect one another. With access to information through social media platforms, students today are exposed to events in real time. News spreads quickly, and so does awareness. However, that awareness does not always change into action. For many individuals, it can feel overwhelming with too much information, too many problems and no clear way to help. According to members, Youth for Justice works to bridge that gap.
“We address urgent crises like climate change and navigate economic instability…we branch off of those topics, it can be a variety of issues!” Vice President Zara Dzubic said. “As a ‘solidarity generation’ with high real-time information access, they can use activism and civic engagement to combat democratic backsliding and drive systemic change.”
While the club’s work is clear through its projects and meetings, it is made from something much more personal for Aldoum. Her understanding of social justice did not come solely from media or school, but from her own experience growing up in a family of immigrants.
Her parents came to the United States in search of better opportunities. Their decision was not easy to anyone; it meant leaving behind extended family and a support system that had once been a core fraction of their lives. They were forced to reconstruct and face new challenges without the same level of support they once had.
“Growing up, I could see [my parents] putting in the work to become citizens of the United States, to work for the United States, to just be civil citizens and contributing members. I could definitely see that during my childhood, and I could see the aspects that they faced with social justice,” Aldoum said.
Aldoum’s brother, Zaid Aldoum, described how these events impacted his family long before Youth for Justice.
“My family originally comes from Palestine. But, because of the war, we were forced to live in Jordan. That being said, my parents were born in Jordan and are not your typical working-class family. They made a huge sacrifice coming to the U.S. in order to give me and my sisters a better opportunity, and for that, we are forever grateful,” Zain Aldoum said.
According to Zain Aldoum, it was these experiences that endlessly shaped both Ayah’s passion for justice and her drive to becoming a positive and inspirational leader.
“Having parents that don’t speak English while living in the U.S. has taught us great responsibility and leadership, which is where I think Ayah got her leader mentality from. Ayah is a great leader because of her natural intuition to help others in a compassionate manner and because she puts aside her opinions and desires when it’s time to step up. She has always believed in helping the underserved and those who don’t have a voice to speak for themselves, so I think her making the club Youth for Justice is a great step both for her and for future generations that share the same passion,” Zain Aldoum said.
Though Youth for Justice was only first officialized as a confirmed Lindbergh club and available student activity in November of 2025, it is apparent that the club, and Aldoum’s efforts, have been far from limited. From thoroughly connecting students with real-life community initiative to bringing aid to undersupported demographics, Youth for Justice has never hesitated to drive social change and promote the chance for Lindbergh students to become the superheroes
Aldoum fantasized about when she was first inspired.
“Activism isn’t just one person’s belief, it is a collective action taken by many people for change they believe is right. True activism is where personal
conviction meets collective courage. It is the belief that ‘right’ belongs to everyone,” Aldoum said.