“Core Youth” was a tier made up of our most active high school aged leaders in YvA. It represented the highest level on our youth development ladder and began as a simple “What if”: What if young people had the training to lead? What if they had the tools to govern? What if they were given the space to shape the work they believed needed to be done?

To become a Core Youth member, students completed intensive trainings followed by an interview process assessing their capabilities and capacity. Those selected made a rigorous commitment to their growth as organizers, participating in ongoing trainings, readings, and workshops to strengthen their political education and skills.

As paid staff, Core Youth served as spokespeople and representatives, meeting regularly to develop campaign strategy, build collaborations, and plan major actions. Every campaign and programmatic area, excluding school-based organizing, had at least one Core Youth staff member in a leadership role. They acted as lead coordinators, committee chairs, and key collaborators across the organization.

Through intentional support, training, and space to lead, Core Youth demonstrated that youth power capable of driving tangible change is not only possible, but sustainable. The labor Core Youth carried out is labor we believe deserved to be paid. As YvA is unable to financially sustain this program, this program currently is not active. We are thankful to all former Core Youth for the priceless contributions and change they have made to their communities and to YvA as an organization. We are hopefully to continue supporting youth power through other endeavors and measures.