Junior Youth Action
Junior Youth Action empowers 7th and 8th-grade youth to value the importance of leadership, education, civic engagement, social justice, and equality through leadership development training, mentorship, and fun, educational field experiences.
Join the Movement
About Junior Youth Action
Youth Action's Junior Youth Action (JYA) Program is a student-led leadership development & mentorship program that emphasizes the importance of education, leadership, and service for middle school youth. JYA equips students to become exceptional leaders by providing them with clear pathways to civic engagement through leadership development workshops and early exposure to service.
JYA seeks to empower middle school-aged youth to value the importance of education, civic participation, social justice, and equality. By cultivating an environment that encourages peer-to-peer interaction and academic achievement and influences youth to become agents of positive social change in their communities, we inspire youth to reach their fullest potential.
The Junior Youth Action program involves a mix of leadership development and empowerment sessions, external service learning volunteer opportunities, and mentorship to instill our organizational values into our middle school students. There are 5 interaction types students can expect.
Hear from Our Student Leaders
Goals and Objectives
Youth Action exists to galvanize a generation of leaders who are socially conscious and will take charge to inspire others create positive change in their communities and world. Aligned with this overarching purpose, the Junior Youth Action Program is designed with the following goals and objectives:
Students learn about themselves as leaders, including their current skill sets and areas for improvement, and explore their personal source of inspiration while improving their leadership skills.
Students explore historical and modern-day leaders and social justice movements and learn how to effectively bring about change within their own communities.
Students dive deeper into service by developing and presenting their service project plan aligned with their passions.
Program Components
The Junior Youth Action Program involves a mix of leadership development and empowerment sessions, external service learning volunteer opportunities, and mentorship to instill our organizational values into our middle school students.
Leadership Development and Empowerment Sessions
Bimonthly in-classroom training led by Program Directors, College, And High School Facilitators, which cover a range of topics, including building self-esteem, goal-setting, communication, organization, local, national, and global social issues, and volunteer service. Each session includes icebreaker activities, interactive learning, social issue exploration, and strength-building time.
Speaker Sessions
During selected Leadership Development and Empowerment Sessions, students will hear from experienced business and community leaders who present on a range of topics.
1-1 Mentorship & Bonding Experiences
Each student will be matched with a program leader or facilitator who will serve as a dedicated mentor. Mentor check-ins focus on assessing students’ wellness, school and home life, as well as program performance, progress with leadership assignment, and overall wellbeing.
Service Learning Volunteer Opportunities
Program leaders and facilitators organize quarterly volunteer opportunities for students with local organizations that align with Youth Action’s mission. These opportunities are meant to expose students to service and local community leaders.
Youth Action Organizational Events
Youth Action organization-wide events are required for students across all programs. These include student-parent orientations, student-created service projects, and other Youth Action-sponsored events.
Key Benefits
Students who participate in Junior Youth Action will:
- Receive bimonthly leadership development and empowerment sessions centered on themes of leadership, service, and how to bring about social changes
- Demonstrate improved leadership skills
- Engage in up to 20 hours of service opportunities to develop a sincere passion for services
- Plan and execute organization-wide service and fundraising events
- Receive 1-1 mentorship on life skills, leadership, and service
Why Join Youth Action?
Make an Impact
Participate in service projects that address real world issues and challenges in the Greater Philadelphia area while making a difference in your community.
Develop Leadership Skills
Learn to lead, collaborate, and innovate while diving into leadership development topics ranging from communication, time management, and goal-setting.
Build Your Resume
Gain valuable experience and skills that will set you apart from your peers as you pursue further education and career experiences.
Have Fun
Meet new friends and participate in exciting events and activities that will help you form lifelong relationships and connections.
INTERESTED IN THE
JUNIOR YOUTH ACTION PROGRAM?
We're looking for middle school students who are ready to become socially responsible leaders and bring about real change in Philly. Applications are being accepted now for the 2024-2025 service year. Apply today!