CYESS and CIRCLE report: How afterschool programs boost youth civic engagement

🌟 Afterschool is Democracy in Action 🌟 The newly released report "Improving Communities Through Youth Civic Engagement in Afterschool Settings," is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we give young people the space, support, and trust to lead. One finding stood out to me: the majority of young people believe they have the power to make change, yet too few feel equipped or supported to step into civic life. Afterschool programs can close this gap. They are where young people practice democracy daily, by lifting their voices, collaborating across differences, and tackling real community challenges with creativity and courage . At Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, we see this every day. Whether it’s youth leading service projects in their neighborhoods or youth councils shaping the future of recreation centers, our spaces are incubators of civic identity. These aren’t just programs... they are launchpads for lifelong leadership. As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, I can’t think of a more urgent investment than empowering the next generation to carry democracy forward. Let’s commit to: ✅ Centering authentic youth voice ✅ Building cross-sector partnerships between schools, afterschool, and community organizations ✅ Ensuring equitable access so every child has the chance to belong, lead, and thrive. I encourage colleagues, partners, and funders to read this report and consider: How are we preparing young people not only for the workforce, but for citizenship? 👉 Read the full report by clicking the link below. #AfterschoolWorks #YouthVoice #CivicEngagement #Philadelphia

Civic literacy is the foundation of becoming an active and responsible citizen. It offers a roadmap for engagement, guiding individuals to participate meaningfully in their communities and embrace good civic behavior that extends beyond mere compliance with laws. At its core, civic literacy embodies the holistic idea of being a reflection of a responsible, accountable, and empathetic citizen. By keeping citizens informed and fostering active participation, it empowers them to drive community growth and positive change. An engaged civil society not only protects against misuse of state power but also teaches citizens about democracy and responsibility, helping shape a fair and just society. Learn more about importance of Civic Literacy which goes beyond politics, in the article by B.PAC: https://lnkd.in/eeVrAJmR . #BPAC #BEngaged #InternationalLiteracyDay #civicliteracy #literacy Kiran Mazumdar Shaw Revathy Ashok Mohandas Pai Sameer Shisodia

US Department of Education pulls millions of dollars in Chicago Public Schools funding for Magnet Schools Assistance Program - ABC7 Chicago https://lnkd.in/gxNe8yVJ

Student voice isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s a civic imperative. In classrooms across the country, young people are identifying issues that matter to them, researching root causes, and advocating for change. Through community-based civics, they’re not just learning about democracy—they’re living it. When students lead change efforts that focus on mental health, housing insecurity, or school safety, they’re practicing the skills of inquiry, collaboration, leadership, and decision-making. They’re building civic muscle. And they’re reminding us that the future of our communities depends on their leadership—not someday, but NOW. As educators, community partners, and adult role models, our job is to listen deeply, create space, and build systems that honor youth expertise. Because when students have a voice, they’re not just raising concerns—they’re raising the bar for what civic engagement can look like. Let’s keep amplifying their voices. Let’s keep building with them. #StudentVoice #CivicEngagement #ActionCivics #EducationEquity #YouthLeadership #GenerationCitizen

The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) is working to ensure that all students, including those with disabilities, are supported and able to learn across every educational opportunity and environment. “The future of education depends on building systems that welcome and engage,” says David W. Gordon, Superintendent of Schools for SCOE. “Inclusion ripples outward, shaping school communities and influencing districts across the region. When all students learn together, education becomes a system that truly reflects equity and prepares young people for life beyond school.” Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gjsJTyTz

This course will explore the impact of race and identity on the development and implementation of public policies within public and nonprofit organizations. We will examine a wide range of scholarships in this area that explores the concept of race and why an understanding of these issues is critically important for future leaders of these organizations. Though we will explore the intersectionality of race with other markers of difference, including gender and class, our primary focus will be on race and racial identities, as race is often a large predictor of wealth, education, access to health care, and other quality of life indicators.

We were so honored to be featured on the CBS Morning Show today to share some of our newest initiatives at the foundation—expanding NDD education efforts and creating sensory spaces to make resources accessible to all. Our biggest goal remains the same: to spark more conversation around neurodevelopmental differences and empower the next generation of youth leaders to create lasting change. A huge thank you to Lauren Winfrey and CBS for giving us the platform to highlight our work!

Today, the world marks International Literacy Day, a reminder that literacy is the foundation of a just, peaceful, and sustainable society. Yet, millions of children with disabilities remain excluded. Classrooms are still built around one way of learning: dense text, abstract explanations, and little visual support. Teachers want to help but are rarely given the tools or training to make lessons inclusive. This is where Sol's ARC, a pioneering nonprofit in our ecosystem, is reshaping what literacy means today. Their work challenges a common misconception that accessibility means creating “special” content only for children with disabilities. In reality, their accessible designs -clear visuals, structured explanations, multiple entry points -don’t just support children with disabilities, they help every learner succeed. Their vision is simple yet transformative: a future where inclusive literacy is not treated as an add-on, but as the standard. A future where every child opens a book and finds content they can access, understand, and enjoy. This #InternationalLiteracyDay, we celebrate Sol’s Arc for reminding us that true literacy is universal and it begins with inclusion.

The Department of Education has quietly suspended the Fostering Diverse Schools program, a Biden-era initiative that let districts opt in to racial and socioeconomic diversity efforts in high-need areas. The move leaves four urban school districts short $1.5–$3 million each ahead of the new fiscal year beginning October 1. TCF’s Kayla Patrick, a former senior official at ED, responds in Education Week: go.tcf.org/edgrants

Save the date Triad 🗓️‼️Your request is our honor 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾The first ever “Triad men in Early Childhood Education Conference 2025‼️This is going to be epic🫡 This conference objectives are as follow: 1. Offer Recruitment & Raise Awareness 🎗️ -Inspire men to pursue careers in early childhood education -Address the critical shortage of male educators in PreK-3rd grade -Break down stereotypes and barriers preventing male involvement 2. Offer Professional Development💻 -Train current and prospective male early childhood professionals -Provide specialized skills for male mentors and volunteers 3. Offer Community Mobilization 💼 -Rally fathers and male community members to be more involved -Build partnerships between men's organizations and educational institutions 4. Reveal Research & Best Practices 📖 -Share data on benefits of male presence in early learning -Showcase successful male engagement programs Smart Start of Forsyth County #meninearlyeducation #earlyeducation #birthtoeight Cyril Jefferson Victor Isler Amber Baker, PhD Allen Joines Nancy Vaughan Register by using link below 👇🏾 👇🏾 👇🏾 https://lnkd.in/e25QgDSs