Current Programs
Youth Advisory Council (YAC)
A teen lead council staffed by the Loudoun Youth Initiative office. More than 40 teens participate monthly, with youth leaders participating as voting members of the Loudoun County Advisory Commission on Youth (ACOY). YAC supports the website www.loudounteens.org and manages a Youth Membership Network of more than 250 youth county-wide providing immediate access to youth opinions.
Leadership Loudoun Youth
Loudoun Youth Inc. and Leadership Loudoun have partnered to provide Leadership Loudoun Youth, an experiential program designed to engage youth and develop their leadership skills helping them to become confident, knowledgeable and contributing members of the community. The week-long program introduces high school students to local history, local businesses, and local government and community agencies throughout the county.
This year's Exclusive Grand Sponsor is Virginia Commerce Bank.
For more information about the program, click here.
Youth Fest
An exciting full-day event hosted by the Loudoun Youth Initiative. Youth Fest features interactive activities focused on teen health & safety, nutrition, education, community awareness and, most important, teen FUN. The event showcases hands-on, interactive stations, exhibits, demonstrations and live stage entertainment performed by area teens.
Battle of the Bands
In 2009, Youth Fest was expanded to include four Battle of the Bands Friday night competitions. These events feature live local teen bands auditioning to be a part of Youth Fest 2010. At the same time, the events provide teens a safe place to go on Friday nights. For more information, visit www.loudounteens.org.
Free Soccer Program
Loudoun Youth Inc. has partnered with the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, the Loudoun County Gang Response Intervention Team (GRIT), the Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services to provide Free Soccer on select Friday evenings. At the beginning of the evening, youth are provided food and introduced to positive role models/speakers who educate them about topics including drug and alcohol abuse and gang prevention. By providing this opportunity to youth, Loudoun Youth can provide a safe place for youth to learn and engage in positive peer and adult relationships, while preventing them from being exposed to gangs and other negative influences they may find on their own on a Friday or Saturday night. For more information go to our Events page.
Loudoun Youth Grants Program
Every year Loudoun Youth invests in youth programs and projects in Loudoun County. Grants are awarded through an RFP process. Applications are due by May 1st of each year. In 2009, Loudoun Youth provided funding to For Children's S, Special Forces Unlimited, Piedmont Arts Foundation, Instilling Responsible Ideals through Sisterhood, Virginia Regional Transit, and the Reality Store. For more information about these programs and how to apply, click here.
Loudoun Youth Sponsorships
In addition to grants, Loudoun Youth provides sponsorships in smaller amounts throughout the year. In 2009, Loudoun Youth supported the following organizations and events through sponsorship: the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra's Loudoun's Got Talent Teen Competition, the Loudoun County Department of Family Services Independent Living Program, Athlete to Atleta, Boy Scouts, Camp Fair, Family Fest, the YMCA, the Leesburg Optimist Club's Kids' Day Out at Tally Ho.
Youth Service Brown Bag Lunches
A lunch series desgined to bring together youth-serving organizations and agencies to talk about what services each organization is currently providing to youth, and brainstorm ways that organizations can partner and collaborate. By bringing youth-serving organizations together, we hope to raise awareness about available youth services, promote collaboration, prevent duplication of services, and identify and address potential gaps. The Advisory Commission on Youth and the Loudoun Human Services Network support Loudoun Youth's efforts on this program. For more information, contact Christina Druther at 703-989-6781 or cdruther@loudounyouth.org.
Step Up Loudoun!
An event started in 2004. It brings together a cross-section of Loudoun youth with active members of the adult community for a full-day discussion of what it means to be a young citizen of Loudoun County. Conducted in partnership with the Loudoun Youth Initiative, the Loudoun County Public Schools, private schools and home schooled community, this event has the participation of 350+ individuals each time it is held.
World Trade Youth
World Trade Youth, in partnership with World Trade Center - Dulles Airport, is dedicated to connecting diverse youth from across the globe in an effort to promote a global perspective about the quality of life in the world. Youth learn and work together to examine immediate problems and grapple with challenges, opportunities and major issues facing the world today. Youth participants will connect through three avenues: the International Youth Network, the e-Youth Initiative, and an Annual Youth Conference. Countries currently represented on the International Youth Network include: Afghanistan, Egypt, Haiti, India, Palestine and the United States. In 2009, For more information, visit www.wtyi.org.
