The Youth Support Network is rebranding as Alexandria Beyond the Classroom or ALX Beyond
In 2020, ACT for Alexandria partnered with the Frank & Betty Wright Foundation, Alexandria City Public Schools, the City of Alexandria, youth-serving community organizations and other stakeholders to support the ACPS Virtual PLUS+ vision for supportive programs and services, so that all youth in Alexandria could be successful with distance learning. ACT for Alexandria hired a Network Manager to focus on building relationships and collaboration among out-of-school time stakeholders, including the Virtual PLUS+ partners, to establish the Youth Support Network. It builds on ACT’s experiences and success as the coordinator and host for the Early Care and Education Workgroup, a five-year initiative that strengthened the network of nonprofits and government entities that help young children (ages 0-5) thrive.
Through a coalition-based approach, the Youth Support Network grew rapidly to encompass more than 80 youth-serving organizations. As the network developed:
· The Forum for Youth Investment selected the network to participate in its Build Forward Together initiative, an effort to build “equitable learning and development ecosystems” in cities across the country.
· Providers led the development of the network through participation on the Executive Committee and/or two work groups dedicated to priority initiatives: Middle School Programming & Social-Emotional Learning (SEL).
· Providers participated in SEL professional learning to support young people as the community emerged from the pandemic.
· The City of Alexandria provided American Rescue Plan funding to support the network’s foundational efforts.
The Youth Support Network commissioned Weber Moore Partners, LLC, to conduct a community-wide landscape study, Increasing Opportunities for Alexandria Youth: A Community Report. The purpose of the study was to document and map the current state of K-12 out-of-school time programming in the City and identify the hopes, needs, and barriers experienced by youth, families, and providers related to OST activities with a focus on middle and high school students. The study recommendations inform the continued development of the network and serve as a community-wide call to action about the value and importance of expanded learning programs for our children and youth.
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In 2024, the YSN rebranded as “Alexandria Beyond the Classroom (ALX Beyond)” to represent the 100+ youth-serving organizations that provide high-quality, meaningful K-12 programming to Alexandria’s young people. The network has been recognized locally, regionally, and nationally as a strong example of a coalition-based approach with a high level of collaboration between stakeholders, illustrating the possibilities of public private partnership.
For more information, please visit the Alexandria Beyond the Classroom website.