Youth Voice, Youth Involvement, Youth Engagement, Youth Organizing and Youth Participation

Training, Research, Advocacy and Networking Organizations in the U.S.

INTRODUCTION: There are a growing number of nonprofit community-based organizations committed to promoting, engaging, supporting, sustaining, and evaluating youth action, organizing, activism, voice, and other empowerment activities. The following is a short exploration of those organizations and the services they offer.

Organizations

Arsalyn Foundation - Provides organizational capacity building and technical assistance to organizations that actively engage young people ages 11-20 in community and civic participation. P.O. Box 1796, Glendora, California 91740 (626) 914-5404

At The Table - formed to facilitate a coordinated, sustainable national youth participation movement. We work together with partners across the country to educate and inform about the value of youth participation as well as to prepare youth and adults to work together to create positive change. Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development, 6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite 502, Takoma Park, Maryland 20912

BLOC Network - BLOC is a national alliance of young people (organizers, youth workers, artist and activists) working through grassroots organizations, institutions and social networks to organize and develop young activists of color into active agents for change. BLOC connects people working from different approaches and ideologies, but who are all committed to fundamental social transformation and community empowerment. Through BLOC we interact, debate, and identify common areas for work. (877)888-BLOC info@blocnetwork.org

California Center for Civic Participation and Youth Development - This organization seeks to engage youth in the democratic process by using sound Youth Development principles. This is accomplished by providing opportunities for middle and high school youth to participate in civic education, leadership, and service programs that directly connect to local, state, and federal issues.

Community Partnerships for Youth - Developed a training curriculum and provides training to young people about their role as trustee, or as partners in the governance process. 6319 Constitution Drive, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804 (219) 436-4402

Co/Motion - Helps organizations increase their capacity to foster youth leadership in the design, implementation, and evaluation of action strategies addressing community problems, particularly gun violence. Has training and guidebook that provides advocacy and organizing skills for young people. Eleven Dupont Circle, NW; 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20036 (202)822-6070

Council on Michigan Foundations - Developed Michigan Community Foundations Youth Project, which supports the creation of youth advisory councils (YACs) at community foundations. These YACs develop and manage grant-making programs that support youth programs in their community. Have developed guidebook on YACs. One South Harbor Avenue; Suite 3 Grand Haven, Michigan 49417 (616)842-7080

DataCenter Youth Program - Research programs on youth organizing, education and criminal justice issues. DataCenter, 1904 Franklin St., Ste. 900, Oakland, California 94612 Ph: (510) 835-4692

Do Something - Committed to building young community leaders through service-learning, civic engagement, and character education. Mission is to inspire, mobilize, train, and fund young people as they go through this important development. Sponsors award for outstanding young leaders (K-12) who work with Do Something to improve their communities. 423 West 55th Street, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10019 (212) 523-1179

Freechild Project - Resources, networking, training and consultation that connects young people and social change worldwide. Programs focusing on skill-building, issue awareness, and inter-program collaboration to promote youth voice in schools and communities. CommonAction, PO Box 6185, Olympia, Washington 98507-6185 (360)753-2686

Innovation Center - Partners with foundations, organizations, youth, and adults spark creative processes, build on existing assets and resources, and generate practical tools and resources. 6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite 502, Takoma Park, Maryland 20912 (301)270-1700

Listen, Inc - Believes that effective youth leadership exists on street corners, in crowded classrooms, in juvenile detention centers, in youth development organizations and in street organizations. 413 A Eighth Street SE, Washington, DC 20003 (202)544-5520

Movement Strategy Center - Provides support for strategic planning for youth organizing groups. MSC works with many groups that will share their strategic plans with peers. Contact us if you would like to obtain sample plans from other groups. 1611 Telegraph Ave., suite 510 Oakland, California 94612 (510)444.0640

National Indian Youth Leadership Project - Developed a variety of national and local programs for Native youth and communities. NIYLP hosts the National Clearinghouse for Native Service Learning. 814 South Boardman, Gallup, New Mexico 87301-4711 (505)722-9176

National Youth Leadership Council - Provides training and technical assistance related to youth leadership and service learning. Each training is developed to meet the needs of the client and is lead by at least one adult in partnership with at least one young person. 1910 West County Road B, St. Paul, Minnesota 55113 (651) 631-3672

New York State Youth Council - Developed resources on how to develop a youth council and create working relationships between youth and adults. 52 Washington St, Rensselaer, New York 12144

The Points of Light Foundation, Youth Outreach - Developed a number of models of youth involvement including youth action councils, youth forums, and youth on boards of directors. The Youth Outreach area provides training and technical assistance to young people to develop their leadership skills, as well as to organizations to develop structures and programs that involve young people as leaders. 1400 Eye St, NW Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005 (202) 729-8000

Promise Project - Offers publications, training and consulting to assist groups in creating successful youth/adult partnerships. YMCA of Greater Kansas City, 3100 Broadway, #930, Kansas City, Missouri 64111 (861) 561-9622

SoundOut - Works with schools, education agencies, and community organizations to promote meaningful student involvement in school improvement. Programs include student-led assessment, mapping, and action planning for school improvement; training for students and educators, and consultation in a variety of areas. CommonAction, PO Box 6185, Olympia, Washington 98507-6185 (360)753-2686

Youth Activism Project - Encourages young people to speak up about issues they care about. Offers books, videos, training and consulting on youth participation in decision-making processes and free materials and technical assistance to young people on how to move their ideas into action. PO Box E, Kensington, Maryland 20895 (800)KID-POWER

Youth in Focus - Offers youth-led research, evaluation and planning workshops for youth groups, boards, staff, funders, and policy-makers; consulting on relevant funder and policy initiatives; education and advocacy through presentations, training workshops, conference papers, publications, convening, and participation in related networks; and resource development and dissemination to youth and adult practitioners, policy-makers, researchers/evaluators, and funders. 1611 Telegraph Ave. #510 Oakland, California 94612 (530)758-3688

Youth Leadership Institute - A community-based institute that joins with young people to build communities that value, honor, and support youth. Offers programs and tools that assist youth and organizations to engage youth in social change. 870 Market Street, Suite 708, San Francisco, California 94102 (415)397-2256

Youth on Board - Works with model intergenerational boards in schools, community organizations, foundations, and other organizations. Provides training, consultation, and materials on how to build effective intergenerational boards. P.O. Box 440322, Somerville, Massachusetts 02144 (617) 623-9900