For more than two decades, the Urban Youth Collaborative (UYC) has been a cornerstone of youth organizing in New York City, developing generations of young leaders, building youth power across the five boroughs, and winning campaigns on issues that matter deeply to young people.
We are proud to welcome UYC into The Action Lab as our newest project. This transition opens a new chapter for youth political education and organizing in New York City. At a moment when young people face growing barriers to civic participation and leadership, we are strengthening the infrastructure that supports youth organizing, leadership development, and cross-organizational campaigning.
Working alongside youth organizing partners from across the city, we are building a new set of offerings designed to deepen political education and organizing training, connect young people across organizations, coordinate campaigns, and create stronger pathways into lifelong organizing and movement leadership.
The first offering in this new chapter is the Youth Organizing Institute, a five-day summer intensive taking place August 17–21. In partnership with Make the Road New York, Churches United for Fair Housing, Youth Alliance for Housing, Future of Tomorrow, El Puente, Sistas and Brothas United (Our Bronx), Neighbors in Action, and CAAAV, the Institute will bring together 35 young leaders for political education, movement history, organizing skills development, and collaborative campaign design.
The week will culminate in a public cultural celebration highlighting youth leadership, creativity, and collective power and creating space for young organizers to share what they have built and learned together.
In the months ahead, The Action Lab will continue expanding opportunities for youth members and organizers, developing new partnerships, deepening political education, and bringing arts, culture, and organizing together to strengthen youth power across New York City.
