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 MoreUpcoming Events
- Nov 4 Sunday
Inocente Screening & Conversation on Youth Homelessness in DC
- 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm
The Academy Award-winning film Inocente is an inspiring coming-of-age story of a 15-year-old girl in California. Though homeless and undocumented, she refuses to give up on her dreams to become an artist, proving that only her dreams define her. The screening will kick off National Homeless Youth Awareness Month and be followed by a panel…
- Nov 19 Monday
2019 Summer RFP Deadline
- 5:00 pm – 5:00 pm
The OST Office, DME, and United Way of the National Capital Area is excited to announce the release of three summer 2019 Request for Proposals. Please see documents below for 2019 Summer Request for Proposals. Deadline to apply is November 19, 2018.
Youth-Friendly DC
Keep up with news and updates from DCAYA staff and occasional guest bloggers, with a new post every Wednesday.
Celebrating Dictionary Day with Some of Our Favorite Words
Happy Dictionary Day!! Taking a cue from Oprah Winfrey sharing her favorite word back in 2012 from the new words list for that year, like so: The DCAYA team thought we’d take today to share some of OUR favorite words. So, here we go! From Amy Dudas: indefatigable (adjective) – (of a person or their efforts)…
Member Monday shout out to DC Central Kitchen
It’s a Member Monday shout out to member organization DC Central Kitchen: DC Central Kitchen’s mission is to use food as a tool to strengthen bodies, empower minds, and build communities. At last month’s Community Reunion, Theresa Meyers, their Foundation and Government Relations Manager, was among our honorees for the evening. She received one of our…
Youth Count DC 2018
As we head into autumn, we head into the fourth annual Homeless Youth Census (HYC), an integral part of DC’s efforts to end and prevent youth homelessness. To start off this year’s HYC, the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness, in collaboration with the Department of Human Services, is holding a Youth Count DC…