Features & Blogs

May 23, 2013: The youth leading the Campaign for a Presidential Youth Council have a new blog, with companion youth council profiles...
The Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative has launched Success Beyond 18, a campaign help young people all around the country who are aging out of...
In January, the federal government announced plans for an early care and education initiative that would increase access to high-quality pre-K for 4-...
Journalists, researchers, advocates and policymakers, take note: a new resource launches this week that will make it easier (and more engaging) than...
social media clients
Ever wondered how to improve your organization's social media effectiveness without a big staff or budget to devote? In SparkAction's newest how-to...

feature stories

Check out the latest articles, or filter according to issue area.

afterschool alliance
Produced by: Afterschool Alliance
An overview of actions by state legislators for afterschool and summer learning in summer 2013.
In 1973, the mayor of Los Angeles called for a mayor's youth advisory board. That youth advisory board has since turned into a 30 member youth council that is ...
karen's blog
June 14, 2013 More Time in School?
Produced by: SparkAction, Ready by 21
Karen Pittman reacts to a New York Times online forum on increasing learning time in school.
youth vote
Produced by: SparkAction
New memos and data on youth voters emphasize the power of the youth vote and how political leaders should engage with youth for their support.
Produced by: Demos
Often the most successful first generation students enter college with a basic plan.
college
A retired professor and first generation college student shares the important role of professors in helping first generation college students succeed.
graduation cap
Produced by: Demos
An introduction to the First to Finish blog series, exploring the challenges of first-generation college students and how to make college accessible for everyone.
campus
Retired professor and former first generation college student Ruth M. Buonous explains the importance of college faculty relationships with first generation students.
CRC
Produced by: Demos
Free online tools make it easier than ever to get accurate information to help students compare colleges.
Ruth
A retired college faculty member reflects on her higher education experience as a first-generation college student.

youth voices

In 1973, the mayor of Los Angeles called for a mayor's youth advisory board. That youth advisory board has since turned into a 30 member youth council that is ...
Boston Mayor's Youth Council
Produced by: Campaign for a Presidential Youth Council
The Boston Mayor's Youth Council has created a lot of awesome projects that are making a difference in the lives of youth in Boston, Massachusetts. 
One Stone
Produced by: Campaign for a Presidential Youth Council
One Stone is doing great things for communities in Idaho. Check out their story!
how-to-img
Produced by: Campaign for a Presidential Youth Council
How to get involved in the Campaign for a Presidential Youth Council.  
WYLAC
Produced by: SparkAction
Students make Washington state the second in the nation to include community service as a high school graduation requirement.
cap-hill-pyc
Produced by: Campaign for a Presidential Youth Council
Grant takes you through the basics of the Presidential Youth Council idea and why it matters now more than ever.
NEYC
Produced by: SparkAction
A coalition of youth gets all six New England states to adopt the Sibling Bill of Rights.
HANDBOOK
Produced by: SparkAction
In Nebraska, youth council members succeeded in getting a Foster Youth Bill of Rights enacted into law.
CHEROKEE RECYCLES
Produced by: SparkAction
In western North Carolina, the Cherokee Youth Council helped make recycling easy—and the law.

success stories

NEYC
Produced by: SparkAction
A coalition of youth gets all six New England states to adopt the Sibling Bill of Rights.
WYLAC
Produced by: SparkAction
Students make Washington state the second in the nation to include community service as a high school graduation requirement.
CHEROKEE RECYCLES
Produced by: SparkAction
In western North Carolina, the Cherokee Youth Council helped make recycling easy—and the law.
HANDBOOK
Produced by: SparkAction
In Nebraska, youth council members succeeded in getting a Foster Youth Bill of Rights enacted into law.
boy dancing
Produced by: SparkAction
A man, a troubled middle school and one unlikely decision that sparked a turnaround.
Succes Story
Produced by: Corporate Voices for Working Families
A successful business model of a lactation program for employees.
Sarah
Sarah Huff is one of The Corps Network 2013 Corpsmembers of the Year. She tells a powerful -- and humorous -- story of how a job of miserable conditions in a tough ...