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America Forward Coalition Members Step Up — October 2024

Every month, America Forward highlights examples of the vital work our Coalition members do to support students, families, educators, workers, elected leaders, advocates, and communities across the country. If your organization has resources, an announcement, or a story you would like to see included, please send it to america_forward@newprofit.org.

America’s Promise Alliance

America’s Promise Alliance (APA) invests in America’s youth to empower, engage, and unite the next generation of leaders. APA works against the unprecedented challenges facing today’s young people as they seek educational and workforce opportunities. For example, the latest delay to the launch of the Department of Education’s “Better FAFSA” (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) led APA to partner with young people in developing #FastTrackToFAFSA, a social media campaign for students to share their experiences and advice on completing FAFSA and uplift equitable access to educational resources and opportunities. You can read more about the campaign here, and get involved today.

City Year and Saga Education

Earlier this month, the Boston Globe highlighted the accomplishments of two America Forward coalition members, City Year and Saga Education, for their work implementing live-in tutoring programs in low-income public schools. City Year and Saga Education are both AmeriCorps programs that empower young people to help students and their families through high-impact tutoring. The story highlights the impact that individualized instruction has had on low-income students and students of color in these communities – even doubling or tripling the learning of a group of students. Learn more about these evidence-based solutions to bridge education divides, and more about City Year and Saga Education programming on their websites.

Education Leaders of Color

The work of Education Leaders of Color (EdLoC) works to support young people of color through access to resources and opportunities to thrive both within and beyond their educational journey. Earlier this year, as part of their Social Studies Accelerator, they launched a Social Studies Accelerator Adoption and Implementation Roadmap. This essential resource provides a step-by-step guide for educators that will help make their social studies education plans high quality, culturally responsive, inclusive, and sustainable for students and teachers. You can read more about their work to advance learning that supports the breadth of students’ needs to become strong, educated contributors to their communities and our democracy on their website today.

Latinos For Education

As the first Latino-founded and led national organization dedicated to uplifting educational opportunities for Latino students, Latinos for Education works to accelerate the careers of Latino educators by connecting Latino leaders to professional development opportunities and fellowships. Ahead of the 2024 election cycle, Latinos for Education conducted a survey with a nationwide network of Latino educators, parents, and leaders to identify top education issues and opinions. The survey connected participants to the policy areas outlined in their Latino Action Agenda, including accessibility in early childhood, K-12, and higher education, and increasing diversity in the education field. The report found access to bilingual immersion programs and federal spending on education to be among the top issues concerning participants. Explore more of their policy work today.

Year Up United

Year Up United empowers students to break cycles of poverty and launch successful careers through Career Pathways, a tuition-free professional skills development training program. Now, Year Up’s work is on display in UNTAPPED: Closing America’s Opportunity Gap – a documentary following six Year Up United graduates as they venture forward in their careers with the opportunities and skills instilled by Year Up United’s programming. Through skills-first training, hands-on practice, and supportive, elevated educational and career-related access, these graduates – and the 30,000 plus Year Up United alumni like them – achieve unmatched potential in pursuing a successful career and future. You can watch UNTAPPED today on Netflix!