Program/Initiative History/Overview:

The week-long overnight program modeled and showcased best practices for high-quality summer learning in alignment with NSLA’s Summer Starts in September training manual. Each day offered engaging, hands-on activities related to different themes such as: Social Emotional Learning, Academic Success, Arts, Health & Fitness, and Service and Leadership. 

Program/Initiative Goal or Mission: 

To highlight the importance of investing in exemplary programs, showcase the impact on students, and to educate local community leaders, policymakers, and media on the important difference summer programs make in communities.

During our time together, students and staff had the chance to:

• Explore and tour Washington, DC and the monuments

• Meet with staff from local Congressional offices during Hill Day

• Experience, share and learn “best practices” from expert partners

• Meet national leaders from the White House, U.S. Department of Education, and out of school time field

• Develop new leadership and advocacy skills

• Build and grow positive new relationships with peers and mentors

Challenges that you have overcome:

As this was the first time holding this event, there were many lessons learned, mainly around managing logistics, and modifications that were made in the moment to adjust to the interests of participants.

Lessons Learned and other recommendations:

• Increase youth development training piece for adults

• More unstructured time to build relationships

“It was truly an honor to have been selected as one of the student leaders to represent Breakthrough Miami at the National Summer Learning Association's ‘National Youth Leadership Institute’ in Washington, D.C. Having the opportunity to participate in this week-long event was an incredible experience.” - Jamora Arroyo-Jefferson

National Summer Learning Association (NSLA)

Program/Initiative Goal or Mission: National Urban League’s Youth Council and Youth Leadership Summits are national leadership development and exposition opportunities largely available to young people engaged in our signature college access and success program, entitled, Project Ready. National Urban League develops curricula that includes STEAM, historical and cultural literacy, tools, resources, mentorship opportunities, and provides technical assistance to Urban League Affiliates that implement Project Ready.  

Program/Initiative History/Overview: National Urban League’s annual Youth Leadership Summit celebrated its 32nd anniversary in 2022. Project Ready has been in existence for 13 years. Youth Council was established in 2020 as a virtual space for Project Ready youth to engage on a monthly basis.

Challenges that you have overcome: Our students are highly motivated and often engaged in other extracurricular activities. Sometimes consistent attendance is challenging. 

Lessons Learned and other recommendations: Value time with monetary compensation and incentives such as UberEats meal vouchers and MasterCard gift cards. 

Learn more: National Urban League Youth Council

Program/Initiative Goal or Mission: The mission of the Afterschool Alliance Youth Ambassador Program has been to elevate the voices of the youth that we work with to a national level to impact policy initiatives that support afterschool programs nationally. We treat our youth as the experts of their own experiences and present them with opportunities to engage with adults that care about what they have to say. 

Program/Initiative History/Overview: For the last six years the Afterschool Alliance has recruited youth nationally to participate in our Youth Ambassador program. For the last two years our recruitment efforts have taken the form of a national call for youth voices asking youth to share their afterschool stories in the form of video, essay, or creative pieces. From these submissions the Afterschool Alliance selects a cohort of five to ten students to undergo advocacy and communications training. Students that participate in the Youth Ambassador Program participate in our annual Youth Voice Week in March and our national Advocacy day where they come to DC and meet with legislators from their states. Our students and their program mentor also receive stipends for their participation in our program and for the time and effort they put into working with us. 

Challenges that you have overcome:

One of our major challenges as a national program has been ensuring that the youth that we work with are representative of the populations of students that we support. Having an intentional and localized approach to recruitment is something that we are looking to work on in the future. 

Lessons Learned and other recommendations: We continuously learn and relearn that a key to this work is meeting youth where they are. This means truly engaging youth as experts and partners in this work, allowing them the space to be young people, and focusing on developing self-confidence. Young people are at their best when they feel listened to, comfortable in their skin, and comfortable in the room you have them in. Making sure that adult spaces are prepared for youth and that youth are comfortable being themselves in spaces that are traditionally adult is key. 

Learn More: Youth Voices

Program/Initiative Goal or Mission: The Million Girls Moonshot inspires and prepares the next generation of innovators by engaging one million more girls in STEM learning opportunities through afterschool and summer programs over the next 5 years, in all 50 states.

The Flight Crew is a group of remarkable young people from across the country. Motivated by their impactful STEM experiences beyond the classroom, these young leaders are currently working in their communities to break down stereotypes and spark their peers' curiosity in STEM. 

This Flight Crew is committed to amplifying the impact of afterschool and STEM learning to build a better future where young girls everywhere can envision a place for them in STEM. 

Program/Initiative History/overview:

Launched in 2022, the Flight Crew amplifies youth voices in the national conversation around STEM equity as we work toward a future where every young girl can imagine themselves as a future engineer, builder or inventor.

Challenges that you have overcome:

The Million Girls Moonshot was launched at the height of the global pandemic. Recruitment for the Flight Crew happened during national lockdowns and a very difficult time for educators, families and students. 

Despite the pressures youth were facing, an overwhelming number of applications for the Flight Crew were received. The interest of young people to give back to their communities and share their stories to inspire others is a testament to the power of youth to transform their own lives and the lives of those around them. 

Lessons Learned and other recommendations:

STEM Next works to ensure all young people have access to high-quality STEM learning opportunities in afterschool and summer spaces. In collaboration with experts in the field, STEM Next works to build the capacity of educators and community leaders to best serve all young people. 

Due to the high-level systems nature of the work, it can be challenging to understand the needs, challenges and opportunities of young people in communities across the country. Yet the Moonshot, for example, is an initiative to do exactly that - identify and eliminate barriers for girls in STEM, as well as uplifting their ability to change who we think can build, make and innovate. 

The Flight Crew is a critical part of the Moonshot that elevates the voices of young people achieving beyond limits. The Flight Crew gives other young people role models that look like them and are experiencing the same challenges in real time, as well as gives all adults insight into what young people want and need.  

Learn More: Million Girls Moonshot