Youth-Friendly DC

Extending the School Day At DCPS

2012-01-04T14:49:00.008-05:00

There has been a lot in the news lately about expanded learning time (see here, here and here for some examples). While media outlets and individual writers have taken a variety of stances on increasing the amount of time students spend in school, their analyses, sadly have not really focused in on how extending the school day (or school year) might occur here in DC. The prevailing research

The Last In the Youth Homelessness Series: Amanda's Reflections

2011-12-20T10:15:00.003-05:00

I got involved with DCAYA during my first couple of months as a metro area couch surfer in early 2007. I stayed involved, for the most part, up until the day I was packing the last of my belongings (seriously, I called in for my last Youth Homelessness Committee meeting while the movers were loading up my stuff). I arrived in DC, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to pursue my passion of

A Message from Senior Policy Analyst Maggie Riden

2011-12-15T14:47:00.004-05:00

Last week we released the findings of our youth homelessness study, From the streets to stability: A study of youth homelessness in the District of Columbia. This study is a ground breaking effort for the District in achieving a depth of understanding on the factors that lead our youth to homelessness, keep them from achieving stability and opportunities our community can leverage to propel

A Blogpost from Justin

2011-11-16T13:07:00.003-05:00

This week's blogpost is from Justin, a local 24 year who identifies as "homeless". Please take some time to read his story as we reflect on the issue of youth homelessness during the month of November (and year round!).The night was beyond cold. It must have been in the low twenties. I didn’t have a watch, but I think it was around two o’clock. I couldn’t go back to sleep. I had about four

New Blog Series!

2011-11-10T11:56:00.002-05:00

November is YOUTH HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS MONTH! In honor of this occurrence, DCAYA is lucky enough to have a string of guest bloggers from our membership to report on the many different facets of youth homelessness that exist in the District.This week Covenant House's own Dan Brannen shares his opinion on the importance of investing in young people's transition into adulthood. Special thanks to

Strength in Numbers

2011-11-01T10:08:00.002-04:00

This week's blog post is a letter to our members and allies from DCAYA's Interim Executive Director Katherine Morrison, inviting them to DCAYA's General Membership Meeting on November 09, 2011:Every nonprofit Executive Director could work 24 hours a day and still not feel caught up, which makes any time spent on an activity not directly related to organizational survival seem irrelevant.I’d like

Blog Nationally, Fund Locally!

2011-10-28T12:20:00.008-04:00

Since the launch of the Huffington Post's Impact section (as well as HuffPost DC) we sure have been reading HuffPo a bit more here at the DCAYA offices! HuffPo Impact traditionally covers issues like homelessness, volunteering, and philanthropy, but this week the bloggers chose also to feature a slideshow of organizations that help underserved young people. The slideshow featured a ranking of

A Slight, But Worthwhile Detour

2011-10-13T14:56:00.017-04:00

Tuesday afternoon Council Member Michael Brown took to the steps of the Wilson Building to bring attention to the on-going crisis of teen pregnancy in the District. Though DCAYA does not cover the issue of teen pregnancy in the same we do our four main issue areas, teen pregnancy is a large contributor to many of the issues we do cover.According to the DC Department of Health Statistics the 2008

DC is Ripe for the Picking When it Comes to Reconnecting Disconnected Youth

2011-10-03T14:28:00.003-04:00

DCAYA is pleased to announce that our report, Ripe for the Picking: Opportunities for Private Investment to Affect Disconnected Youth in Washington, DC, has been enthusiastically received by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. This report reflects the research done to date on this population as well as an overview of the policy and public funding landscape that currently exists for disconnected

A Big Day for the Little People

2011-09-13T16:03:00.007-04:00

Today's Youth Rally-- Thanks and Next Steps

2006-08-23T15:38:00.000-04:00

From Arja Nelson, JDCY Outreach Director: Thanks to everyone for coming out to the Youth Rally today! Please watch the news to see the event on television! We'd like to especially thank these organizations and their youth who organized the event: Youth Education Alliance (YEA) Facilitating Leadership in Youth (FLY) Youth Action Research Group (YARG) Shout outs to the two MC's who did a

5 Promises to Kids Campaign

2006-08-23T10:25:00.000-04:00

DC Action for Children launched its "5 Promises to Kids" campaign! Check it out here Make Your Promise To DC Kids Today! DC Action for Children's (DC ACT) 5 Promises to Kids Campaign urges the newly elected mayor of DC this November to address the most critical needs of the city's youngest residents. Over the next 2 months, beginning July 31, DC ACT will release 5 critical promises-one per week.

Rally August 23rd!!

2006-08-22T14:13:00.000-04:00

DCAYA is supporting this rally on August 23rd in conjunction with the Justice for DC Youth Coalition and other youth advocates to ensure that the Crime Bill and Curfew ENDS at 90 days!! Led and planned by young people, this is a great opportunity for you to show your support and a great experience for young people that you may work with. Come out and help us send the message that instead

DCAYA Mayoral Forum Photos

2006-05-27T11:33:00.000-04:00

Click here to view photos from our youth-led Mayoral Forum!