Baltimore Children and Youth Fund's Opening Plenary is Setting the Stage for Systemic Change

BALTIMORE, Feb. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Next month, The Baltimore Children & Youth Fund (BCYF) is set to host its highly anticipated Opening Plenary of the learning lab, a pivotal moment to deepen their commitment to transformative youth development throughout Baltimore. Held from February 23-26 in New Orleans, this year's plenary will focus on exploring innovative models and strategies that align with Baltimore's evolving Youth Master Plan (YMP), inspired by learnings from the New Orleans' Youth Master Plan. As BCYF prepares to launch this much needed initiative, participants will embark on a professional learning journey to explore New Orleans' youth development ecosystem and draw lessons for Baltimore. BCYF has tailored the experience to grantees with the intention to drive youth-centered progress and systemic change within the city of Baltimore.

BCYF is no stranger to innovation when it comes to systemic change within the community. They use a dual approach to grantmaking that combines funding with capacity building, making it one of the most unique grantmaking organizations. BCYF awards grants to programs that serve thousands of Baltimore's young people, prioritizing initiatives in high-poverty communities and youth-centered programming. Through individualized tools for long-term success such as support plans, cohort learning, one-on-one guidance, and professional development experiences like the Opening Plenary, BCYF empowers nonprofits to develop skills in areas such as marketing, fundraising, and leadership, ensuring they can sustain and expand their impact independently. According to a program evaluation conducted by the University of Maryland, Baltimore, 95% of participants strongly agreed that the learning lab advanced their knowledge and skills.

The 2025 Opening Plenary builds on the emphasis community members placed on the need for greater intentional collaboration within Baltimore's youth development while at the learning lab 2024. This year's plenary aims to meet that need by showcasing how intentional collaboration between community organizations, government, and youth can drive impactful change.

When asked what to expect from this year's plenary, Alysia Lee, President & CEO of BCYF, explained, "This year's plenary kicks off the learning lab, setting the tone for collaboration, inspiration, and alignment around BCYF's vision for Baltimore's youth development ecosystem. This year, BCYF will announce its Baltimore Youth Master Plan, which will be formulated based on the lessons and successes of the New Orleans Youth Master Plan. Plenary participants have the opportunity to gain deeper insights into the historical and social movements that have shaped youth development. This journey will not only educate us about critical moments of justice and injustice but also aid in the development of Baltimore's Youth Master Plan which will reimagine Baltimore's future through collaborative innovation."

The Opening Plenary has three key objectives:

• Learn how a youth-centered citywide initiative like New Orleans' YMP has been structured, implemented, and adapted to meet the needs of young people.
• Foster cross-city dialogue to uncover practices that could elevate Baltimore's youth development work.
• Cultivate connections among stakeholders to strengthen the collective capacity of Baltimore's youth-serving organizations.

The conference begins with a Welcome Reception featuring leaders from the New Orleans Mayor's Office of Youth and Families and other key organizations. Over the next two days, attendees will visit historic sites to examine the intersections of history, equity, and youth empowerment. Attendees will also engage in discussions with local YMP collaborators providing valuable insights into implementing systemic change. The session will conclude with a collaborative session developing actionable strategies to launch Baltimore's Youth Master Plan.

The plenary will serve as a platform to deepen shared commitments, spark collaboration, and identify actionable steps to strengthen Baltimore's youth development ecosystem through the Youth Master Plan. By examining New Orleans' citywide initiative and their real-world successes, participants will be inspired to envision and work toward a vibrant, equitable future for Baltimore's young people.

For more information about BCYF and the Opening Plenary, visit bcyfund.org/connect/learninglab.

About the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund:
The effort to create a dedicated fund to support programs for Baltimore's young people was launched in 2015 by then-City Council President Bernard "Jack" C. Young - a response to the unrest in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody, an event that sharply illuminated longstanding inequities in public funding in Black communities. Supported by Baltimore City residents' tax dollars, since 2020 BCYF has awarded over $31M to Baltimore programs serving children and youth.

SOURCE Baltimore Children & Youth Fund