Youth Leadership Institute
YLI Convening
A convening of youth organizers, adult allies and educators whose shared vision of education equity. YLI is focused on supporting youth and adult allies to develop deeper relations and learn to build power through youth-adult partnership.
What is the Youth Leadership Institute (YLI)?
The Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) is an annual convening presented by the New England Youth Organizing Network (NEYON) that brings together youth, adult allies & educators who are fighting for equitable public education throughout New England communities.
With the generous support of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, YLI attendees come together annually to build understanding and support for youth organizing for education justice, develop relationships, share learning, and plan for youth organizing work in the upcoming school year.
What happens at YLI?
The Youth Leadership Institute is a space designed and implemented by the Youth Planning team in collaboration with the Center for Youth & Community Leadership in Education (CYCLE). The YLI planning team works to create a space that inspires, celebrates and reinforces the youth organizing that is happening throughout New England communities.
Our CYCLE Youth Team and our Youth Planning Team continue to work to host a space that inspires, celebrates, and reinforces our youth organizing community. This year's theme for YLI is "Transforming our Community through Care" and will focus on restoring, caring and healing within our organizations while navigating organizing work throughout New England Communities. How can we create intentional spaces to heal while also fighting for equitable schools? Where do we hold the most stress when we navigate this work and how can we release it? What does intergenerational healing look like? These questions will all be explored through youth-led workshops and intentionally designed plenaries at this year's Youth Leadership Institute.
Stay tuned for more updates on YLI 2023! But in the meantime save the date for August 7th-9th, 2023 at the Babson Executive Conference Center!
When is YLI being held?
YLI 2023 is being held at the Babson Executive Conference Center in Wellesley, MA on Monday August 7th through Wednesday, August 9th.
Overnight stay for the conference will be at the Sheraton Boston Needham Hotel this year. Shuttles will be provided for groups that indicate a need for it on registration between the hotel and the conference center. 2 Youth from their organization will be assigned to a room together. Adult Allies will have individual rooms.
Who plans and implements the Youth Leadership Institute?
YLI is planned by a group of high school aged youth leaders who represent different organizations across NEYON and were selected to be part of the Youth Planning Team. The Youth Planning Team in collaboration with the CYCLE Youth Leadership team create the content and implement the conference together. The CYCLE Youth Leadership team also coordinates the New England Youth Organizing Network (NEYON).
Who will be able to attend YLI 2023?
Organizations that are a part of the New England Youth Organizing Network (NEYON). When there are extra spots available for YLI the CYCLE team will invite outside organizations or school districts to attend.
How many people from each organization can attend YLI 2023?
2 adult allies and 6 youth will be allowed to attend per NEYON organization. For groups that aren’t a part of NEYON and are invited to attend, invitation numbers will be based on available spots for the conference.
* Adult allies are usually defined as youth workers and/or staff that work with youth participants at your organizations. As an adult ally you are required to stay overnight and be responsible for the safety of the youth that attend the conference from your organization.
*The 6 youth number does not include if your organization has a Youth Planning Team member or a NEYON Advisory Board Council member . It would be in addition to those youth since they are considered staff of the conference.
What are some of the COVID-19 Protocols?
YLI has no vaccination requirement this year. We will have COVID-19 rapid tests onsite as well as mask. Masking is recommended but not required. If you aren’t feeling well we ask that you stay home.
How much is it to attend YLI?
Due to the generous support of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, organizations from the NEYON network and invited youth organizations attend the conference for at no cost including all meals and overnight accommodations. Transportation to and from the conference will be not be covered.
Will I be able to know who the presenters are for each session?
We’ll be releasing an agenda sometime in July 2023 with details around presenters via the Whova app.
Where can I access the event’s full agenda?
All YLI 2023 content will be shared via the Whova app including registration for the conference, full agenda, name of presenters and workshop detaIls.
How does online registration work?
Each individual participant must register on their own. 6 youth and 2 adults per organization are invited to the conference. Youth that are attending the conference are selected by each individual organization. Registration will launch in June 2023 and will close July 10th, 2023.
Do I have access to all of the sessions?
In a word, yes! You will be given the opportunity to select which sessions you’d like to attend. It is up to you to decide which sessions interest you in a given time block and to attend those sessions as desired.
What platforms will YLI be using this year?
YLI will be using Whova & The NEYON Website for a majority of our communications for the conference in addition to emails. Please make sure to download the Whova app on your mobile device to make sure you can access all of the conference content.
How can I access interpretation?
We will be asking for interpretation and other accommodation needs at the time of registration. This year YLI will be providing Spanish/English interpretation for attendees.
Will YLI capture videos and pictures?
We will be capturing videos and pictures at YLI 2023. We will require that all participants both youth and adults, sign a photo release form. If you are under the age of 18 you will need to have a parent sign on your behalf. You will also be able to post your own pictures and videos via the Whova app!
Contacts
If you have questions about YLI registration or any logistics please contact Catalina Perez at cperez@rwu.edu or Vianna Mercedes at vmercedes@rwu.edu
YLI Planning Team 2023
