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.
I Am Tired Of Polite, Passive Conversation.
In the second of our staff spotlights highlighting why we do the work we do at DCAYA, Ramina, our Director of Housing Stability & Youth Initiatives, discusses her vision of a community that empowers all its children and youth. Code-switching, generally, is the act of alternating between different languages or dialects in a conversation…
It’s Not Just Advocacy, This Is Personal…
“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair”- Shirley Chisholm’s bold proclamation to reclaim her power and demand room for her voice in spaces where women of color were excluded- shaped the mindset I adopted when entering my own leadership positions and when training youth. I am Mariah Green,…
Stand For Youth
Reflecting on 2018 As 2018 comes to a close, I want to say thank you. 2018 showed us once again what we can accomplish when we stand together as a community. Your support, time, energy over the last year: Provides thousands of DC’s youngest residents with new opportunities to play, learn, and grow after school…