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.

What does it look like when young people feel seen, heard, and supported through the arts? That’s the question at the heart of a new research study and the focus of our recent webinar, Well-Being and Well-Becoming Through the Arts: Centering Culture and Community in Youth Arts Programs.

Learn how leaders in Texas are expanding access, improving quality, and working across systems to create better summer learning opportunities—and how those lessons can be applied in other communities too.

Summer learning is critical for academic success and enrichment. So how can states better support these important experiences? This blog explores insights from a Learning Policy Institute report, commissioned by The Wallace Foundation, on effective state strategies. Learn about best practices, challenges, and opportunities to expand access.

This Commit to Quality series blog explores how Boys & Girls Clubs of America have redefined program quality as a systems-wide approach, ensuring staff have the tools to create meaningful youth experiences across thousands of BGC organizations and club sites.

True systems change happens when those most impacted are not just invited to the table, but actively shaping the conversation. Through the BEST Youth Initiative, People with Lived Experience are working alongside state leaders to reimagine youth-serving systems—ensuring that solutions are grounded in their realities and designed to drive equity, sustainability, and transformative change.