Youth Action

06/04/2026

They said they would. And they did. 🧹🧡💙

Our small but mighty 11th grade cohort at Mastbaum showed up for and showed OUT. Ten large bags of trash collected, real conversations with community members, and a whole lot of proof that age, background, and group size don’t determine your impact.

Watching these students choose to serve, on their own accord, was everything.

None of this happens without the people who showed up alongside them:

Shoutout to Mr. Diggs and the staff for their emphatic support, Ms. Mouzon in the office for helping make this all possible, and Ms. Wylie from Philadelphia Academies for getting hands-on with the cleanup.

Bonus shoutout to Aiden, one of Mastbaum’s Culinary students, who baked us the best chocolate chip cookies ever!

And the best part? The students are already planning how to make it bigger next year. 👀 Stay tuned because Youth Action Academy at Mastbaum is just getting started.

Drop your love in the comments for this cohort! 🙌

06/02/2026

We've been a little quiet… but the work has been LOUD. 🧹💚

Youth Action Academy is wrapping up its first year at Jules E. Mastbaum AVTS High School, and our 11th grade cohort did not come to play.

They chose their final project, designed the flyer, named it themselves, and even connected with local council members to make it happen.

Tomorrow, June 3rd, they're hitting the streets for Kleaning Kensington, a community cleanup covering a radius around the school, complete with refreshments and real community energy.

This is what student-led leadership looks like. We are SO proud of this cohort. 🙌

Drop some love in the comments for them!

03/26/2026

Yesterday was a truly special day for our Youth Action team 🧡💙

We had the honor of celebrating FOUR of our incredible Youth Action Fellows as recipients of the 2026 Founding Forward Good Citizenship Award!

Elijah C.
Jayla M.
Zachary P.
Tyheem T.

These student leaders were recognized for something we see in them every day: their integrity, thoughtfulness, and commitment to leading with purpose both in our programs and out in their communities.

Moments like this matter. They give our students the opportunity to connect with peers from across the region, reflect more deeply on what it means to be an active, engaged citizen, and realize just how powerful their voices can be.

We’re so grateful to Ryan Schaefer and Youth Action Board member Pete D’Amico for helping make this experience possible.

And a huge shoutout to our amazing Program Director, Ms. Brittany Manning, for making sure our students showed up confident, prepared, and ready to shine ✨

Bonus highlight: we got to spend time with YA Co-Founder Councilman Anthony Phillips and introduce him to the next generation of Youth Action changemakers 🙌

The future is bright, and it’s already in motion.

03/14/2026

When leadership meets fitness! Thank you Board member and the team at for hosting our student leaders for a day of mental and physical wellness. 💪🏾🧡💙

01/22/2026

01/15/2026

We are kicking off the new year in the only way we know how... IN ! This , Youth Action student leaders are meeting the moment by showing up for children and families in our community, supporting wonderful organizations like Eddie's House.

From packing hygiene kits and winter care packages to creating handwritten cards of encouragement, our students are turning care into action and honoring Dr. King’s legacy through service.

Your donation helps power this MLK Day initiative and Youth Action’s continued service to children, youth, and families all year long.

Support our youth! bit.ly/givephlyouthaction
If you would like to volunteer with us, sign up here: bit.ly/yamlkday26.

12/02/2025

Today on , we’re reflecting on what inspires people to give.

Is it a personal connection? A desire to give back? A belief in young leaders? Whatever your reason, it matters deeply.

For 22 years, Youth Action has empowered Philadelphia teens to lead service projects, build community, and create real change. And it all started in 2003, when the Tavis Smiley Foundation awarded a group of teens a $1,000 grant to tackle teen pregnancy in their own neighborhood.

This Giving Tuesday, you can be part of the next chapter.
We’re aiming to raise $5,000 to fuel youth-led leadership and service throughout the city.

Every gift, big or small, helps turn a young person’s passion into action.

Become a one-time or monthly donor today: https://bit.ly/giveyouthaction2025.

Thank you for believing in what our young people can do. 💛

11/27/2025

We’ve got lots to be thankful for. Over the past few months, we’ve been working hard to launch our 22nd year of programming, and we couldn’t do any of it without these wonderful people right here. We can’t wait to catch you all up… stay tuned for updates coming soon!

06/27/2025

Do you have plans this Saturday? If not, come celebrate the start of summer and Juneteenth with Youth Action! The Healing In Our Roots: Youth Wellness Fair is a FREE event centered around community, connection, and healing as we shine a light on mental health challenges impacting marginalized youth.

Join us at Jones Memorial Baptist Church for a day filled with activities focused on promoting mental health & wellness among young people.

This special event will feature:
💚 Two empowering panel discussions on mental health awareness and ESL/IEP support
💚 Delicious food, fun games, and engaging activities
💚 Helpful resources to support mental wellness and academic success

Our high school students have dedicated their time and talents to planning this event, and we can't wait to see their hard work come to fruition. Come out to learn, laugh, and uplift—because everyone deserves the freedom to thrive!

Come join us at the Healing In Our Roots: Youth Wellness Fair for a day of fun activities and resources to support our mental health.

03/28/2025

✨ Big News! ✨ This Wednesday, we had the incredible honor of celebrating three outstanding Youth Action student leaders as they received the from ! 🏅👏

These scholars have exemplified what it means to be civically engaged, learning about their constitutional rights, tackling relevant issues, and building connections with fellow future leaders. 💡🤝

Join us in congratulating our 2025 Good Citizenship Awardees:
🎉 Anya B.
🎉 Aiden G.
🎉 Symir G.

We couldn’t be prouder of their dedication to leadership and service! 🎖️💙 And a special shoutout to Ms. Brittany, Ms. S, and YA Board Chair Pete D’Amico, who showed up and showed out for our students!