Overview
The Youth Council is a program designed by youth for youth with the purpose of providing Alexandria youth the decision-making power and funding to address key youth issues within the community. With input from the City’s Youth Leadership Conference, Summer Youth Work Experience 2021, and key focus groups, the Youth Council was formed with the following goals:
- Improving the lives of Alexandria residents
- Empowering students as conveners for partnerships with schools
- Connecting with youth to promote early engagement with philanthropy and decision-making
- Creating a leadership development program that fosters personal growth and professional opportunities
Members of the Youth Council are given the opportunity to guide learning conversations, support city-wide youth initiatives, coordinate ACT’s Spring2ACTion events, and research and propose solutions to Alexandria youth’s most pressing challenges. As part of this expanding program, youth will have an opportunity to design and launch grant programs to address issues most pertinent to youth, build skills in community-organizing and advocacy, network with Alexandria leaders, and make a difference in their community! Due to the effort and time commitment required for this program, members will be provided a personal stipend to compensate them for their work.
ACT Youth Council 2023-2024: Grantmaking
Last year the ACT Youth Council designed and launched their own grant program to address issues most pertinent to youth and make a difference in their community. Building off past research and interest, Youth Council members focused their grantmaking on equity in education and environmental justice. Their grant awardees are Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture, Community Lodgings, and The Child & Family Network Centers. Learn more about the Youth Council’s grantmaking experience in their Symposium presentation below!
2024 Youth Council Symposium Presentation
ACT Youth Council 2022-2023: Discovery Project of Alexandria
The Youth Council Discovery 2023 Project explored socioeconomic and environmental disparities in Alexandria, focusing on differences between the East and West Ends. Key findings revealed higher income, better resources, and greater access to education in the East, while the West faces challenges such as limited English proficiency, higher poverty, and restricted internet access. Environmental education and recycling efforts are less accessible in the West, compounding these inequalities. Barriers to disability accommodations include cultural stigma, unaffordable testing, and language challenges, particularly affecting West End families. Recommendations include expanding environmental education, improving recycling access, normalizing disabilities in the curriculum, providing multilingual resources, and enhancing health services to support equitable outcomes.
Resources
Youth Council Discovery Project Resources: Supporting Students of Immigrant Families
Youth Council Discovery Project Resources: Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth in Alexandria
Discovery Project & Symposium Presentations
2024 Youth Council Symposium Presentation Slides
Youth Engagement Materials
Best Practices in Youth Philanthropy AECF Framework for Working Effectively with Youth ACAP Youth Manual