This summer, 14 inspiring young leaders from across the country participated in the Opportunity Youth Congressional Liaison (OYCL) Program, a paid advocacy fellowship led by the Forum for Youth Investment. Over the course of three months, they built community, developed their advocacy skills, and traveled to Washington, D.C., where they met with members of Congress to share their stories and push for stronger federal investments in Opportunity Youth and the causes they are passionate about.

In this powerful reflection, Jasalyn Franco, a member of the 2025 OYCL cohort, shares how the experience changed her perspective and her path forward.

Arkansas’s 2023–2024 21st Century Community Learning Centers Statewide Evaluation Report highlights how afterschool programs are engaging youth, improving academic outcomes, and strengthening systems to better serve high-need students—while offering a roadmap for continuous improvement and statewide impact.

More than $6 billion in federal education funding—including support for afterschool and summer programs—is being withheld, disrupting services for young people across the country. Learn what’s at stake, what this means for the youth-serving ecosystem, and how you can take action.

The proposed FY 2026 federal budget could eliminate funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers — the only federal support dedicated to afterschool and summer learning programs serving 1.4 million young people. Without this funding, 1 in 5 students could lose access to critical academic enrichment and safe, supportive spaces beyond the school day.

Youth work is more than a job—it’s a calling rooted in relationships, authenticity, and a deep commitment to young people’s success. In this blog, we reflect on insights from the Commit to Quality symposium, highlighting powerful lessons from youth development leaders across the country. From centering staff relationships and elevating youth voice to building system-wide support for continuous improvement, the message is clear: quality in out-of-school time programs starts with people.