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
- Jul 18 Thursday
Disconnected Youth Community Input Meeting
- 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
On Thursday July 18th at 10:00 am we’d like to get our Disconnected Youth, Alternative Education and post-secondary success providers together at DCAYA’s Offices to discuss how we can collectively tackle improving opportunities for reconnection for DC youth in the years to come. We’ve made a lot of progress the last few years, and as we reconsider our…
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.
Exciting Changes at DCAYA
DCAYA and its Board of Directors is writing to announce that, effective September 30, 2019, DCAYA President & CEO Maggie Riden is leaving to join her fiancé in TN, where she’ll be exploring new opportunities to apply her advocacy skills at the national level. Over her 9 years at the helm, Maggie has built DCAYA into a trusted…
A Collective, Reflective Piece from DC Youth Moving Forward
DC Youth Moving Forward is a youth led advocacy and action group supported by DC Alliance of Youth Advocates. In this blog, two new members take time to reflect on their experience in the program. From Advocacy to Business Marketing My name is Larenai Swann and I am a recent high school graduate of Basis…
The Final Breakdown: The FY20 Budget
To highlight the fruits of your labor throughout the FY20 budget season, read on for more about the Council’s budget decisions impacting our four issue areas: Expanded Learning, Youth Homelessness, Youth Workforce Development, and Opportunity Youth. Youth Homelessness: $5.447 Million Added to End Youth Homelessness by 2022 The Department of Human Services saw an increase…