2021 Annual Forum: Building the Future Boldly
Pheedloop Virtual Platform • December 1-3 2021 • 12:00 - 4:00 PM EST Each Day
Thank you for joining us for the National Youth Employment Coalition’s premier national conference on youth and employment; The 2021 Annual Forum: “Building the Future Boldly.” Now more than ever we are faced with incredible challenges; demanding a bolder vision and a need to unify support for this vision. To achieve this, the Forum featured the most current data and research, innovative thinking on engaging employers, best practices for promoting wellness and work, and a dialogue about the role youth employment programs can play in creating thriving communities.
The convening was opened to young adult leaders, practitioners, policymakers and stakeholders in the youth field. NYEC members received an automatic discount on the convening's registration. If you're not a member of NYEC consider joining today! We also offer many opportunities for sponsorship of the Forum that you can view here.
This ticket grants one person access to the convening and reflects a 25% discount. This ticket is for members of NYEC and requires an access code. The access code was sent via email and can be found on the NYEC Member Portal.
This ticket grants one person access to the convening. This ticket is for non-members of NYEC. All current members can be found here: https://nyec.org/members. Please contact nyec@nyec.org if you have any questions.
This ticket grants up to six attendees (including the purchaser) access to the convening and reflects a 25% discount. You will be prompted to add details of the other attendees after purchasing the ticket(s).
This ticket is for members of NYEC and requires an access code. The access code was sent via email and can be found on the NYEC Member Portal. If you did not receive your member discount code or are having trouble getting your code please contact nyec@nyec.org before purchasing your ticket.
This ticket grants up to six attendees (including the purchaser) access to the convening for non-members of NYEC. You will be prompted to add details of the other attendees after purchasing the ticket(s). All current members can be found here: https://nyec.org/members. Please contact nyec@nyec.org if you have any questions.
This ticket is for Opportunity youth ages 16-24 to attend the Forum. Email nyec@nyec.org to get your unique link to register.
Sessions
Sessions at the Forum will 50-minutes long and will be virtual, engaging, and meant to emphasis dialogue and peer-to-peer learning. Our conference session tracks are listed below and on the proposal form. We invite applicants from all geographic areas, issue areas and age groups who are geared towards expanding and improving opportunities for young people. Applications for session proposals are now closed.
NYEC Action Hour
For a third time, NYEC is launching its “Action Hour” which is a component of the Forum that allows young adults (16-24) the opportunity to showcase current or pending projects related to civic engagement, entrepreneurial ventures, and advocacy for feedback and support from conference attendees. At the Annual Forum, NYEC will be offering a limited number of Action Hour applicants the chance to present at the conference and be awarded $500 each. During the convening, attendees will vote on awarding an additional $300-500 to presenters. Want to sponsor a youth Action Hour grant? Our sponsorship opportunities found here offer sponsors the opportunity to contribute funds for the grantees.
We are prioritizing current and former Opportunity Youth and/or youth with lived experiences for the Action Hour grants. Applications are now closed and applicants will be updated in mid-November of their status.
Session Tracks
How are we best preparing Opportunity Youth for growth in remote work? What innovative tools have emerged to make effective employer partnerships? How do we leverage our transition from COVID-19 to bring new employers and industries into the Opportunity Youth space? How are we preparing youth for growth industries like information technology, climate change, transportation, and construction?
How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted marginalized populations? What new research topics need to be explored to equip the field in strengthening opportunities for OY? What are ways organizations can use data to improve programming, advocate for change, or obtain funding?
How are communities responding to mindset shifts in regards to public safety? Which stakeholders are being utilized on the local, state and federal level to heal and strengthen communities?
How are frontline staff building in a trauma-aware focus into their program while also prioritizing their own mental health? What does a healed and liberated work environment look like?
What strategies for funding, programming, CQI, staffing, or systems development/integration that have worked well for your state or region? We are looking for innovative workshops highlighting things that work, elevate best practices, help solve shared challenges, showcase creative partnerships and/or facilitate dialogue between experts and organizations to improve outcomes for OY.
How can organizations tailor programs to meet the unique needs of young people living with disabilities? How do young people living with a disability experience existing employment programs? What unique challenges will youth with disabilities encounter post COVID-19? How are we prioritizing this population in economic and social relief efforts during and after the pandemic?
How are we equipping youth-serving professionals to make systemic change in their organizations? What does an awareness and purposeful recognition of intersectionality look like in workforce development and career development? How are agencies navigating and eliminating barriers related (but not limited to) race, gender, and status? How can leadership/workforce boards/policymakers lead from behind rather than top-down?
How are re-engagement centers mobilizing pandemic recovery efforts around dropout recovery, reconnecting disconnected youth, and shifting to in-person programming? What best practices have emerged around community partnerships, outreach, retention and student success?
This category is for youth-led and/or designed sessions.
What ideas and demands are at top of mind for today’s youth? What are some ideas youth have for reaching other youth, programming, barriers, supports needed? What are some programs or projects led by youth in the field that are working?
Sponsorship
This year NYEC is providing expanded sponsorship opportunities for sponsors! Sponsors can support youth via funding free of charge Opportunity Youth tickets and Action Hour grants. Further, select sponsor levels can sponsor sessions and session tracks. All sponsor levels obtain complimentary tickets for individuals of their choice and are featured on our platform’s sponsorship banners. Learn more about the benefits of sponsorship here below and purchase sponsorship via the registration page.
Bronze Level
- 6 complimentary registrations for staff, grantees and other guests
- Provides complimentary tickets to 10 youth
- Listed on Annual Forum website and Sponsorship Banner
Gold Level
- 10 complimentary registrations for staff, grantees and other guests
- Provides complimentary tickets to 15 youth participants
- Access to unique opportunities to engage with attendees
- Inclusion in social media and other marketing for the Forum
- Logo in Sponsorship Banner, website, and announcements
Platinum Level
- 20 complimentary registrations for staff, grantees and other guests
- Speaking role during Annual Forum plenary session
- Provides complimentary tickets to 20 youth participants
- Choice of session or session track to co-sponsor
- Access to Exhibitor Hub for unique opportunities to engage with attendees
- Inclusion in social media and other marketing for the Forum
- Logo in Sponsorship Banner, website, and announcements
Presenting Level
- 40 complimentary registrations for your staff, grantees and youth
- Supports 6 grantees in NYEC’s Action Hour, special recognition during Action Hour
- Provides complimentary tickets to 30 youth participants
- Choice of session or session track to sponsor
- Access to Exhibitor Hub for unique opportunities to engage with attendees
- Inclusion in social media and other marketing for the Forum
- Logo in Sponsorship Banner, website, and announcements
What did you find most valuable from the Forum?
"The opportunity to learn from exemplars from across the country and to have protected time with my team to discuss issues in our specific context."
The Action Hour grant helped me experience what taking the first step towards developing a business. It was totally new to me and it helped me create my business’s website: https://www.elevateyouressence.org/
What did you find most valuable from the Forum?
"The sharing of information and resources, as well as results from complex collaborations. Really glad for the ability to go to the deeper questions rather than seeking the easy fixes."
After my professors saw the recording of my Action Hour they connected me to more researchers and expert to further my project.
What feedback do you have about the Forum?
"Wonderful event! Thank you for the exceptional networking and learning opportunities!"
The Action Hour helped me launch my new gen-z led consulting practice in Austin, TX (Elevate Your Essence) focused on youth empowerment and engagement.
If you were running the event, what would you have done differently?
"Nothing. Everything was clear and on point."
I gained so many connections and new contacts from the conference. I just have to remember to follow-up with them.
Questions about the Forum?
Let us know if you have any questions, concerns, need more information, or trouble-shooting support.