Students at H.D. Woodson Create Care Packages & Personalized Messages for Classmates Experiencing Homelessness
Every week youth at H.D. Woodson High School in Ward 7 of Washington, D.C. learn about civic engagement and practice civic action through youth service projects with the help of volunteer organizations like ours, the Community Enrichment Project. The first few months of the school year students selected hefty topics, such as domestic violence,…
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…
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…
Member Monday shout out to YWCA National Capital Area
It’s a Member Monday shout out to member organization YWCA National Capital Area! Our Mission is to eliminate racism, empower women, and to promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. And if you work with young people in the District, consider becoming a member or renewing your organization’s membership.
Kicking Off Youth Homelessness Awareness Month with an Inocente Screening
As you may know, November is Youth Homelessness Awareness Month. And DCAYA has partnered with the National Museum of Women in the Arts to co-present Inocente. 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…
Member Monday shout out to Kid Power DC
It’s a Member Monday shout out to member organization Kid Power!! Their mission: To inspire youth leadership by promoting academic advancement, physical and emotional wellness, and positive civic engagement in underserved communities throughout the District of Columbia. If you are looking for ways to give back to the community, you should consider volunteering with Kid…