After School & Youth Development
Life doesn’t stop when the school bell rings and some of the benefits of quality after-school programs might surprise you. Check out our intro video to hear from national experts and from youth!
Beta User Feedback
Email Newsletter Signup

Sparks: A Monthly Expert Blog
Whether you're new to this issue or a longtime expert, our Sparks blog can help you stay up to date. Each month, we ask a different expert to weigh in on important and under-reported developments to watch.
new to this topic?
Feature Stories
Roll up your sleeves and play! Host a KaBOOM! Play Day, presented by Mott's, in your neighborhood and be part of a national celebration to save play in the lives of children. Plan your Play Day to take place on any day during the week of September 18 - 26, 2010.
The Youth Transition Funders Group, an affiinty group of more than 30 national and regional foundations, has mastered the most sensitive and essential messaging in child/youth advocacy: keeping your own members and supporters enthusiastic, engaged and making a difference. Child Advocacy 360 takes a look at how YTFG does it, and the take-aways for other organizations.
The Obama Administration’s blueprint for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) includes an emphasis on using data to improve students’ safety, health and well-being.
The child and youth field spends millions of dollars on research, but if the findings get lost in crowded inboxes or stacks of publications, do they really count? In her May 2010 Youth Today column, Karen Pittman says too few of us hear about the findings, but that's something we can -- and must -- change.
Youth Voices
Critical Exposure ushered in the summer with several new photography classes and exciting partnerships.
What Kids Can Do is putting out a fresh call for youth stories.
We're looking for strong examples of middle and high school-aged youth working as a team and spreading their wings: making a difference in their community, solving problems, being artists and performers, stretching themselves intellectually, pushing for change on issues that matter to them.
Arts Engine celebrates ten years of Media That Matters — the premier showcase for short films with big messages.
A year after an election that drew record numbers of young people to the polls, how do youth feel about Congress and the administration?
It's a question that pops out during a ride in the car, at the dinner table, through a recently-slammed door after a fight about finishing up homework: "What good is all this stuff I'm learning in school going to do me in the real world?" Programs that make a strong, direct connection between school learning and future career options can be powerfully motivating for students, even those who eve
Take Action!
The Promoting SUCCESS Act (HR 5963) would direct the Secretary of Education to carry out a grant program to fund pilot projects to explore how the camp experience promotes physical activity and healthy lifestyles among children and youth, reduces summer learning loss, and promotes academic achievement.
Use this instant, interactive action alert to tell your U.S. Senators what you think about the YouthBuild support letter circulated by
Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) and Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME).
Latest Resources From the Field
A new publication produced by the YEF Institute with support from the Surdna Foundation provides a step-by-step guide for local leaders who want to create meaningful opportunities for youth participation in local government. This resource for municipal officials is enriched by examples from communities with robust youth civic engagement initiatives and complement
On Thursday, July 29, 2010 Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (NY) introduced HR 5963 — Promoting Students Using the Camp Community for Enrichment, Strength, and Success, also known as the Promoting SUCCESS Act, in the House of Representatives.
RIF and Macy's have teamed up to create Book a Brighter Future, a national partnership to raise awareness and support of children's literacy. Through July 31, 2010 Macy's customers can give $3 and receive a coupon for $10 off one purchase of $50 or more at any Macy's store nationwide.
The House of Representatives passed a historical, bipartisan bill aimed at protecting our nation’s children.
Roll up your sleeves and play! Host a KaBOOM! Play Day, presented by Mott's, in your neighborhood and be part of a national celebration to save play in the lives of children.

















