Youth Development Network

Youth Development Network www.ydnetwork.org Creating life-changing experiences for youth that lead to long-term success
www.ydnetwork.org

Providing customized developmental solutions to educational and business organizations that are dedicated to building environments and cultures where people are valued for who they are and encouraged to become their best.

10/08/2026

Knowing your own strengths can shape how you help students recognize theirs. ✨ Chad Smith, Independent Studies English Teacher at Visions In Education, shares which of his strengths helps him most with his students and what he took away from their Strengths Leadership Camp, facilitated by YDN.

Watch the full Strengths Leadership Camp video through the link in YDN’s bio.

Watch the full Strengths Leadership Camp video here: https://youtu.be/l1-KHWFcMUk

This is my book recommendation for all of 2026. Fab 5 Freddy was at the epicenter of the birth of hip-hop music and was ...
10/07/2026

This is my book recommendation for all of 2026. Fab 5 Freddy was at the epicenter of the birth of hip-hop music and was an active participant inside the greatest art scene this country has ever seen.

Everybody’s Fly is loaded with first-hand accounts of the graffiti, rap, fashion intersection of the 1980s.

This book is a must-read for art lovers, hip-hop heads, and cool people in general =-)

Read the rest of the story at
https://www.npr.org/2026/03/24/nx-s1-5758061/nprs-book-of-the-day-fab-5-freddy-everybodys-fly




A new season. A new chapter. In Our Tribe is back!We’re kicking off Season 11 with Episode 101, featuring Mayra Vega, Ma...
10/06/2026

A new season. A new chapter. In Our Tribe is back!

We’re kicking off Season 11 with Episode 101, featuring Mayra Vega, Mayor Pro Tempore for the City of Woodland and Deputy Director at the California Department of Health Care Access and Information.

Mayra shares her journey as an immigrant, falling in love with the Woodland community, and finding purpose in helping its people, youth, and businesses thrive.

She also reflects on how the Creciente Latine Leadership Program helped her embrace her authenticity—a lesson she continues to carry with her today.

🎧 Episode 101 is live. Welcome to Season 11!

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/gQQsFlljahc?si=oJngdhdo_FfoZxuw





Hip-Hop Artist Oke McFly writes about rising above, teaches kids how to express themselves through poetry. Hip-hop + You...
10/02/2026

Hip-Hop Artist Oke McFly writes about rising above, teaches kids how to express themselves through poetry.

Hip-hop + Youth Development = Too Dope Not To Share! Enough said.

[Excerpt] “A lot of them are dealing with a lot of trauma, so I teach them different writing skills as a way to alleviate stress and express how they’re feeling,” Oke said. “That’s the beauty of writing and all art. It’s a way to express yourself and use it to cope with whatever you’re going through.”

Read more at https://www.csus.edu/news/made/stories/2026/7/massokemcfly.html



🔥 Too Dope Not To Share! 🔥This edition is all about culture, creativity, self-expression, and the wisdom that comes from...
09/30/2026

🔥 Too Dope Not To Share! 🔥

This edition is all about culture, creativity, self-expression, and the wisdom that comes from seeing the world a little differently.

From Fab 5 Freddy’s firsthand look at the intersection of hip-hop, graffiti, fashion, and art in Everybody’s Fly, to the return of hip-hop legends Hieroglyphics, there’s plenty here for the culture lovers.

We’re also spotlighting how hip-hop and poetry can give young people powerful tools to express themselves, process their experiences, and rise above adversity. And because sometimes the simplest words can say the most, we’re taking a little inspiration from Jack Kerouac—and even trying our hand at a haiku. 😉

Swipe through, check it out, and discover something that satisfies your curiosity.



🔥 Too Dope Not To Share! 🔥This edition is all about culture, creativity, self-expression, and the wisdom that comes from...
09/29/2026

🔥 Too Dope Not To Share! 🔥

This edition is all about culture, creativity, self-expression, and the wisdom that comes from seeing the world a little differently.

From Fab 5 Freddy’s firsthand look at the intersection of hip-hop, graffiti, fashion, and art in Everybody’s Fly, to the return of hip-hop legends Hieroglyphics, there’s plenty here for the culture lovers.

We’re also spotlighting how hip-hop and poetry can give young people powerful tools to express themselves, process their experiences, and rise above adversity. And because sometimes the simplest words can say the most, we’re taking a little inspiration from Jack Kerouac—and even trying our hand at a haiku. 😉

🎨 Art. 🎤 Hip-hop. ✍️ Words. 🧠 Wisdom.

That’s what makes this one Too Dope Not To Share!

Swipe through, check it out, and discover something that satisfies your curiosity.













This week's Words of Wisdom: “You know the change will do you good.”From the Gang of Four, Damaged Goods
09/28/2026

This week's Words of Wisdom:

“You know the change will do you good.”
From the Gang of Four, Damaged Goods

Great leaders start by understanding themselves.At YDN’s Student Leadership Camp, students uncovered hidden strengths, f...
09/24/2026

Great leaders start by understanding themselves.

At YDN’s Student Leadership Camp, students uncovered hidden strengths, formed genuine friendships, and practiced leading with both confidence and heart. Every moment - from energizers to challenges to late-night conversations - pushed them to grow, not into someone new, but into a stronger version of who they already were.

We’re so grateful to Western Placer Unified School District staff and students for being part of this experience, and we feel truly lucky to have shared it all alongside you.

We had a fantastic time building relationships with VIEDU students and staff over the summer during our Strengths-Based ...
09/24/2026

We had a fantastic time building relationships with VIEDU students and staff over the summer during our Strengths-Based Leadership Camp. Over the span of four days, we worked with students on their strengths and how they show up as leaders in their communities. We especially want to shout out the staff at Visions for creating opportunities for their students to interact and engage!

Check it out here... https://www.viedu.org/news-cat/a-summer-of-strengths-visions-staff-students-head-to-camp/


Address

PO Box 661602
Sacramento, CA
95866

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Youth Development Network posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category