Youth Voice Week (March 24-28, 2025) is a national celebration dedicated to uplifting the voices, leadership and lived experiences of young people. The Afterschool Alliance describes this week as follows: “Youth are at the center of high-quality afterschool and summer programs. Their voices are powerful and they must be heard. The Afterschool Alliance’s youth voice efforts are dedicated to amplifying the perspectives of young people, as they should inform the policies and programs shaping their futures.” 

This week highlights the power of youth-led advocacy and decision making. It is a call to action for organizations and systems to center youth voice and choice in an effort to move beyond tokenism. This week centers the importance of making meaningful opportunities for young people to shape the policies and programs that impact their lives.

As we gear up for the Ecosystem Plan Strategic Design Kick Off, we recognize that youth voice is not just about inviting young people into conversations, it is about ensuring we are truly ready to receive them. Through this strategic design process, we are building the structures, relationships, and commitments that allow young people to be co-creators of change. Be deeping our capacity to listen, respond and act in alignment with their ideas and longings, we ensure that expanded learning remains a space where youth leadership is not just encouraged, but essential.

Interested in learning more about the Ecosystem Plan Strategic Design process? Check out posts below!