We envision a community where no youth is considered at- risk and where all are respected as valued members of society. To this end, we work to establish structured opportunities for adolescents to become safe, healthy, resilient, and confident community members.
The Impact
As a result of recent advocacy and awareness campaigns, we’ve made major investments in our issue areas.
Who We Are
DCAYA has over 120 members, who all share our vision for a District committed to all of its citizens.
Stay Involved
Parents, providers, and other youth advocates can connect with us through events and volunteering.
Our Issue Areas
We promote a citywide strategy to youth development that is data and outcome driven in these issue areas.
2018 Election Advocacy Guide Toolkit
The 2018 District of Columbia elections present a critical opportunity. Now is the time to push for the needs of the over 120,000 children and youth who call DC home—but lack a direct political voice—to the forefront of every candidate’s agenda.
Learn More
November is Youth Homelessness Awareness Month
Join the fight to end youth homelessness here in the District, by making a pledge to support our advocacy for homeless youth this Giving Tuesday.
Pledge NowYouth-Friendly DC
Keep up with news and updates from DCAYA staff and occasional guest bloggers, with a new post every Wednesday.
Our New Year’s Resolutions
On this New Year’s Eve, as most of us put together our dreams, wishes, and hopes for 2019, we wanted to share ours with you. Over the last few weeks we shared stories from our staff and board to show you why we do the work we do at DCAYA. (Access them here at our…
Why I give: A message from Amanda Fuchs Miller, DCAYA’s Board of Directors
In our nation’s capital, you can’t go a block without bumping into a lobbyist – someone trying to influence public policy on behalf of their client, whether it’s a corporation, a non-profit or an association. While “lobbyist” has become a bad word, elected officials depend on advocates as they make decisions on key pieces of…
Empower Youth to See Real Change
In our third round of staff spotlights, we continue highlighting why we do the work we do here at DCAYA. Amy, our Director of Youth Re-engagement and Workforce Initiatives, shares how being empowered as a young person drives her commitment to youth advocacy today. My drive as a youth advocate originates from an upbringing I refuse to take…