Features & Blogs

Ready, Willing and Able 01/30/2012

Youth development expert Karen Pittman reviews a new book about college access and success.

Opportunity Road: The Promise and Challenge of America’s Forgotten Youth 01/09/2012

A national survey and research report released on January 5, 2012 by America’s Promise Alliance, Civic Enterprises and Peter D. Hart Research...

SparkUpdate:Connecting Generations, Working Toward Common Goals | January 31, 2012

Do people in their sixties have anything to say to young people today? This week, we see they do. Young people certainly have a lot to say to the...

Moving America’s Children Into the Spotlight in 2012 12/07/2011

As Election Day 2012 approaches, presidential candidates appear eager to debate the future except when it comes to the future generation or issues...

Occupy Movement: Hands-on Civics Lessons for High School Students 12/21/2011

Across the country, in big cities and towns, high school students have been collecting their thoughts about the Occupy Movement, visiting Occupy...

Feature Stories

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

February 3, 2012

Words to Avoid: 2012 Edition

Produced by:

Big Duck

Big Duck's Dan Gunderman offers you the 2012 Big Duck list of words that nonprofits should avoid (or at least think twice about using).

February 3, 2012

Video: Voice of the Voters-- Nevada Youth

Produced by:

PBS

Nevada has the highest unemployment rate and a high rate of foreclosures. How is this affecting the youth vote heading into the upcoming GOP Caucus? Washington Week partnered with the University of Nevada, Reno to find out what problems students think should be at the forefront and what issues are...

February 3, 2012

Raising Taxes On Our Nation's Most Vulnerable Children?

Produced by:

The Huffington Post, First Focus

President Obama's State of the Union address called for the restoration of an America "where everybody gets a fair shot." Today, however, nearly one-fourth of our nation's children live in poverty -- a figure that is inexcusable.

February 2, 2012

Extended Learning Time and More: An Interview with Karen Pittman

Produced by:

Learning in Afterschool

Learning in Afterschool blog interviews youth development expert Karen Pittman about the youth development movement, for which she is credited of starting, and why it's important.

February 2, 2012

States Under Pressure As Health Law Deadlines Approach

Produced by:

Kaiser Health News

The health law's biggest changes don't take effect until 2014, when states and insurers must be ready to begin signing up an estimated 32 million people in Medicaid and private insurance. But a successful rollout in two years hinges on critical decisions that states must make – and...

February 2, 2012

Learning from Local Solutions: The Education and Poverty Connection

Produced by:

Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity

February 2, 2012

Official Homelessness Decreases but Advocates are Skeptical

Produced by:

Stateline.org

The results of a recent survey of homelessness may come as a bit of surprise. Despite high unemployment and foreclosure rates, Arizona, Nevada and Rhode Island all saw overall homelessness decrease by nearly a third between 2009 and 2011, says a new report from the National Alliance to End...

February 2, 2012

Fact Sheets: Misguided Unemployment Benefit Requirements

Produced by:

CLASP

These two fact sheets expalin why proposals attached to extending federal unemployment benefits, including drug testing of applicants and to requiring applicants to have a certain level education, are misguided.

Youth Voices

February 3, 2012

Video: Voice of the Voters-- Nevada Youth

Produced by:

PBS

January 31, 2012

#BarackTalk2012: Young Voters Respond to SOTU

Produced by:

SparkAction

What did young people think about the State of the Union? Jamira Burley shares a dispatch from this discussion hosted by the League of Young Voters Education Fund, AllHipHop.com and Rock the Vote, which engaged more than 33,000 people online and in person.

January 31, 2012

#BarackTalk2012: Young Voters Respond to SOTU

Produced by:

SparkAction

January 25, 2012

VIDEO: S--t Adults Say to Young People

Produced by:

Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health (ICAH)

In a parody of the "S--t People Say" video meme, Youth Leaders from the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health (ICAH) share things that adults have said to them about sex, sexual health, and being a young person.

January 25, 2012

VIDEO: S--t Adults Say to Young People

Produced by:

Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health (ICAH)

Success Stories

February 2, 2012

Good News Nuggets: Success Stories on Children's Issues and Programs 2012

Produced by:

Child Advocacy 360

Hershel Sarbin introduces "good news nuggets" of 2012--a collection of best practices and success stories in nonprofits and action for children.

February 2, 2012

Good News Nuggets: Success Stories on Children's Issues and Programs 2012

Produced by:

Child Advocacy 360

Hershel Sarbin introduces "good news nuggets" of 2012--a collection of best practices and success stories in nonprofits and action for children.

February 2, 2012

'Ending Homelessness is a Team Sport'

Produced by:

National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth

For homeless youth, playing soccer with Street Soccer USA is the equivalent of a corner kick: A new start after the ball has gone out of bounds. Street Soccer partners with youth and adult homeless programs in about 20 cities. Throughout the year players, who must be 15 and older, develop their...