What We’re Doing

We seek to ensure that all young people have equitable pathways into adulthood.

The National Alliance of Youth and Young Adult Advocates will focus on four major areas of work:  

  • Identifying more authentic and positive narratives about young people. 

  • Filling data and research gaps related to young people. 

  • Unifying and strengthening coalitions that advocate with and on behalf of young people. 

  • Advancing a bold policy agenda that will create opportunities for and remove barriers to young people’s success. 

“Adolescence is a critical time when youth begin their journey into adulthood; it’s a time that includes the exploration of passions and what they want to do with their lives and careers. However, due to a variety of systemic barriers, too many young people lack access to and agency over their pathways into adulthood, resulting in limited opportunities to attain economic security and financial freedom. With the help of the National Alliance, we hope to bring organizations that understand the importance of young adulthood together in coalition to remove these barriers and reimagine systems, in order to ensure young people can envision the future they desire and grow into adulthood with optimism and excitement.”

— Elizabeth Cheung, Senior Program Officer, Opportunity Youth, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation

"We have some incredible programs serving young people, but we only have a small fraction of what we need. Together with young people and our partners, we will strive to ensure all youth can look forward to futures with hope and access to supportive pathways to follow their dreams."

— Dr. Mary Ann (Mimi) Haley, Executive Director, National Youth Employment Coalition