Kalamazoo Youth Development Network

05/29/2026

📞Calling all advocates!📞

If you are passionate about thriving youth and looking for an opportunity to give back, look no further!

KYD Network is seeking sponsors to make our National Day of Summer Learning celebrations on July 16th and 17th AMAZING!

As a sponsor, you can help us... provide healthy snacks, organize a basketball game, provide transportation so young people can attend, hire a DJ, and more!

Learn more and sign up today!

https://linktr.ee/kyd_network

What is the National Day of Summer Learning? These two events are part of a nation-wide movement to raise awareness for the critical impact of summer programs on thriving youth, families, and communities.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Platinum: Bronson Healthcare, Michigan Afterschool Partnership, the City of Kalamazoo

Gold: CIS of Kalamazoo, Kellogg Community Credit Union, Mercantile Bank, and Honor Credit Union!

05/28/2026

… Summer Summer Summertimeeee is here & so is National Day Of Summer Learning ☀️ Join us in the continued fun of celebrating, learning & skill-building! 😎

Want to:
-Perform (All ages are welcomed) 🎭🎤
-Be a vendor
-Donate 💰
-Sponsor
Follow this link: https://linktr.ee/kyd_network
📹: Alexi Kocefas

05/27/2026

🗓️SAVE THE DATES🗓️ for KYD Network’s National Day of Summer Learning Celebrations! Join us on July 16th (Kalamazoo - 11th annual) and July 17th (Battle Creek - 5th annual) to advocate for summer learning with youth performances, games, food, and summer fun. These free community events will take place from 11am-3pm.

Wondering how you can get involved?
🌞Become a vendor
🌞Become a sponsor
🌞Volunteer

https://linktr.ee/kyd_network

These two events are part of a nation-wide movement to raise awareness for the critical impact of summer programs on thriving youth, families, and communities.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Platinum: Bronson Healthcare, Michigan Afterschool Partnership, the City of Kalamazoo

Gold: CIS of Kalamazoo, Kellogg Community Credit Union, Mercantile Bank, and Honor Credit Union!

05/20/2026

It’s back! Our Summer Communities of Practice 2026 is coming soon to two locations near you! ☀️

If you are a staff member looking to level up your youth development skills before summer programming starts, Summer CoP is here for you 😎

🎶Say you will be there!🎶
Free for our cohort members and partners. Register today!

Reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions 📧

05/04/2026

Two more days to submit your proposals! 📢

📢Now seeking proposals for presenters at our 2026 Summer Communities of Practice! This is a training series for youth development advocates (YDAs) and youth-serving staff to level up their skills before youth summer programming begins. Our theme this year is “Summer B.R.E.A.K. = Belong • Recharge • Engage • Aspire • Keep growing.” 🪴

Do you share our vision of a liberated community where all youth thrive? Do you have skills and experience to share to help us get there? Apply to present a 75-min session to a group of 30-50 youth development advocates within our cohort!

We are seeking topics on youth development, equity, belonging and more! Confirmed presenters will receive a stipend. Please fill out our short application by May 6th to be considered for this opportunity!

Apply here: https://forms.gle/JijxDooA31HAJbHFA

04/29/2026

Legal Aid of Western Michigan is launching a series of Family Foundations clinics to provide an opportunity to help everyone access estate planning services.
All services (educational presentation, one-on-one consultations and any post-clinic pro bono work) offered would be free for the community.

04/24/2026

*Cue intro music* - You already know what time it is!

Sending a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our very own Alexis Caples-Moore - whether you know her as Emcee AC, our Social Media Content Queen, or your OST coach, Alexis' roots with KYD Network run deep. Having served a a member on our Kalamazoo County Youth Cabinet, the KYD Network Board, a Youth Leadership Coach, and an OST Quality Coach, she is a multi-faceted, dynamic, and irreplaceable part of our family.

May this year bring you as many smiles as you bring us!

💛 KYD Network

04/23/2026

It is Youth Development Advocate (YDA) Appreciation Week, and we'd like to send a huge shoutout to Jasmine Parson, Extended Learning Coordinator at Bearcats Beyond the Bell. 🎉✨

"Jasmine goes above and beyond making sure to care for the WHOLE CHILD meeting needs far beyond the classroom." - Joy Parson

Click here to nominate someone: https://forms.gle/gUFQ9ybfdymCoYsb7