How NYEC Youth Champion Communities Are Turning Collaboration into Measurable Change
When community leaders from seven Youth Champion Communities (YCC) gathered for NYEC’s September meet-up, one thing was clear: cities are putting the pieces together—youth, employers, schools, and community partners—to form ecosystems that move young people from potential to prosperity.
“This hour isn’t just about updates,” said Marie Davis, NYEC’s Strategic Advisor and meeting co-facilitator. “It’s about sharing, problem-solving, and amplifying the incredible work that’s happening across your cities.”
The conversation reflected exactly that. Each community brought its own “headline of the month,” revealing how a network of cities is collectively reimagining what’s possible when data, youth voice, and collaboration align.
In Scranton, Pennsylvania, community leader Channel Kearse described a milestone that captures the spirit of systemic change. “One of our after-school programs has transformed into a youth shelter,” she shared. “What started as after-school support now includes a safe space for young people who need housing.”
In Albany, New York, Deputy Commissioner, Raphael Tucker shared the results of a record-breaking summer. The city’s Summer Youth Employment Program enrolled over 750 young people across more than 100 worksites. “We know youth crime dropped during our program,” Tucker said. “Now we’re using that data to tell the story—and to show what’s possible when young people are engaged and earning.”
Meanwhile, in Tampa, Florida, Alexandria Andrade shared how young people are driving new forms of leadership and engagement, describing how a group of 30 young women at Chamberlain High School formed their own leadership cohort called Rising Stars. “It was a reminder that we don’t have to create every program for youth,” Andrade said. “Sometimes we just have to create space with them.”
In Richmond, Virginia, Lerone Joseph described how collaboration is becoming a cornerstone of progress. The city’s summer program engaged over 700 youth, the highest in program history. “We finally realized everyone’s trying to do good work—but no one was talking to each other,” Joseph admitted. “So, we brought schools, city departments, and nonprofits into one room. Now, we’re building a collective timeline, shared eligibility criteria, and a data-sharing agreement with our school district.”
In Everett, Washington, Kendra Reiser and Claire O’Connor shared how their team is blending creativity and collaboration to strengthen cross-sector engagement. During a recent convening, young people worked alongside employers and community leaders through a “gallery walk” of ideas—literally posting feedback and visions for the future on the walls. One youth proposed turning traditional job fairs into something more fun and accessible—a “career-nival.” “When youth bring ideas like that,” Reiser said, “they remind us that engagement doesn’t have to look like a panel or a PowerPoint. It can be joyful.”
Closing the session, Mary Ann (Mimi) Haley reminded everyone that local stories drive national change. “These successes are what we take to Capitol Hill,” she said. “They show policymakers why continued investment in youth opportunity programs matters. Whether you’re in Scranton or Tampa, your work is shaping the national conversation.”
From city shelters and youth leadership cohorts to data dashboards and shared referral systems, the YCC network is redefining what collective impact looks like—one relationship, one metric, and one young person at a time.