A project of the Afterschool Alliance
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Youth Voice and Leadership

The youth in your program know firsthand why afterschool is important and what it provides them. They can be some of your best and most authentic messengers. Be sure to involve youth in your event program and planning.

Lights On is a great opportunity to let youth express their views on afterschool.

  • Give young people an opportunity to speak about their views on afterschool and what supports they need. Invite your mayor, school board members, or city council members to come listen to what kids have to say.
     
  • Have youth decorate lightbulbs with their message about afterschool and deliver them to your  congressional representative. You could deliver  the artwork with youth  so they can meet with the member or staff. Or work with students to make a project out of sending the box of artwork. The congressional office should respond with a letter back to your program. Use that as a second learning opportunity to discuss the role of elected officials.
     
  • Approach local media to share youth stories. Ask your local paper or community blog about publishing op-eds by youth sharing their views of afterschool and what it means to them. Or, work with the paper to feature stories by youth reporters on issues including why afterschool programs help kids, what makes a great afterschool program, and how to make learning fun.
     
  • Organize an event at City Hall or the State House where young people publicly share their views on important issues before a large audience that includes policymakers. Allow policymakers the opportunity to respond and acknowledge young people's concerns.

Organize a group of youth to visit policymakers in your community. This could include the mayor, city council members, school board members, state legislators, the governor, and members of Congress. Work with the young people beforehand to set up the meetings and develop a list of talking points. Notify the press in advance to cover the story of young people being their own best advocates for learning and education.

Take your youth engagement to the next level!

Youth Service

Turn your Lights On event into an opportunity for youth to make a difference in their communities. 

Watch this short video and download the Pick Your Project Tipsheet to help your students choose a project that will be both fun and meaningful.

Search for project ideas in these categories:

Issue-based guides and ideas are available in the following areas:

Check out YSA’s Everyday Young Heroes and Youth Guide to the Global Goals for even more project examples and ideas.

These free downloadable resources and training videos will guide you as you take your project from idea to action through the project planning steps of investigation, preparation and planning, action, reflection, and demonstration/celebration.

You can find free resources in the YSA Knowledge Center, including these special collections:

  • Create-Your-Own Youth Service Institute: Take time to prepare yourself and other youth and adult leaders in your community to lead more effective service projects in the future. With nearly 70 videos to choose from, you can customize your own agenda and watch on your own schedule

Finally, see how you can be part of the 50by250 campaign to increase youth participation levels to 50% by America’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026.