What We Do
The Youth Development Resource Center supports a network of hundreds of Detroit youth development providers offering afterschool or summer programs. We seek to strengthen their individual and collective impact on youth, giving them the tools they need to increase program quality and improve youth outcomes.
How We Do It
Measure Quality and Impact
We provide access to standardized data, best practices and common measurement tools to help providers assess how many youth they are serving, how much service they are providing, how well the service is delivered, and what difference they are making in terms of the youth skills and outcomes.
Improve skills for effective youth work and management
We provide and connect youth development professionals to professional development designed to promote quality standards and best practices, giving providers the knowledge and skills they need to implement high-quality youth programming that is safe, supportive, engaging, and skill-building.
Connect providers to each other and to professional development opportunities.
We convene networking and peer-learning opportunities for professionals to build relationships and partnerships, connect to local resources and national best practices and share lessons learned.
Advocate for quality programming for all Detroit youth
We champion quality and equity so that more children across the Detroit area can access high-quality youth development opportunities.
Looking Ahead — Our Strategic Plan
The Youth Development Resource Center supports a network of hundreds of Detroit area youth development providers offering afterschool or summer programs. We seek to strengthen their individual and collective impact on youth, giving them the tools they need to increase program quality and improve youth outcomes.
YDRC Reporting
Our 2021-2022 Impact Report highlights the data-driven work of providers who engage in continuous improvement, delivering programs that help youth build the skills they need.
The Youth Development Resource Center (YDRC) conducted a study to better understand the Detroit youth development ecosystem and the role of the YDRC in supporting the adults who provide programming to children and youth in Detroit.
Our Mission
To improve the quality of Detroit-area youth-serving organizations to maximize their impact on youth and to advocate for accessible high-quality youth development opportunities. See our values here.
Our Vision
To connect all Detroit-area youth to high-quality youth development opportunities that grow their capacities to thrive in school and life.
History
The Youth Development Resource Center has supported Detroit area youth-serving organizations since 2013. We began as a part of the Skillman Foundation’s Good Neighborhoods Initiative and later merged with the Initiative’s Youth Development Alliance. Since our founding, we’ve continued to grow, refine and standardize practices to support a growing network of youth-serving partners in and around Detroit. In 2018, YDRC began a fiscal sponsorship relationship with the Forum for Youth Investment.
Staff
Yvonne Mejias
Co-Executive Director, Operations & Development
As the former Program Director for Detroit Horse Power, Yvonne Mejias has a firsthand understanding of the challenges and rewards of implementing quality standards in programming. Her career opportunities have provided her with experience in schools, working with parent groups, and developing and implementing curricula centered on social-emotional learning to support academic and life outcomes for youth. She is a certified external assessor, coach for program quality assessment, and youth work methods trainer.
Yvonne holds a Master of Education in Education Policy and Leadership from Marquette University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California.
Alandra Chuney-Jackson
Co-Executive Director, Partnerships & Programs
Alandra Chuney-Jackson is a native Detroiter who graduated from Cass Technical High School. Alandra studied psychology at Michigan State University and then went on to receive her Masters in Social Work from Wayne State University.
With over 10 years of experience in mental health and youth development, Alandra is passionate about using her tools and education to serve the community she grew up in. Prior to joining the Youth Development Center, Alandra worked as the Director of Student Support for the Midnight Golf Program and most recently she worked as a Senior Program Associate for the David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality.
Tammy Miller
Operations and Data Manager
Tammy is responsible for the data management and daily operations support of the organization.
While working in the Dean’s Office at the University of Michigan School of Social Work (UM-SSW), Tammy was offered an opportunity to collaborate with the Detroit Technical Assistance Center (TAC) as their Data Technician/Administrative Coordinator. Her work with Detroit’s UM-TAC led her to YDRC. Tammy is also the owner of Miller Business Solutions, an administrative outsourcing company serving organizations with database, operations, and special project needs. She has 25+ years of business experience working in university, private, and non-profit settings, and has been engaged with the YDRC since its inception.
Tammy holds an Associate in Applied Science (Business Management) degree from Washtenaw Community College. She has also studied at Eastern Michigan University.
Albi Taipi
Program Associate
Albi is responsible for network engagement, advocacy efforts, data and improvement coordination, and communications with the YDRC to support Detroit area youth-serving professionals.
He is a recent graduate of Wayne State University, where he studied Political Science and Spanish. Albi is passionate about youth services, Michigan politics, and community development. He is an Albanian-American immigrant and longtime resident of Metro Detroit.
Prior to working at the Youth Development Resource Center, Albi was a Challenge Detroit fellow at Detroit Public Schools Community District, where he worked in Government and Community Affairs.
Consultants
Kiylise Lowe
Kiylise Lowe has worked in the out-of-school time youth development field for over 15 years. She is passionate about racial equity, inclusion, and social, emotional, and cognitive skills for youth and adults. Combining her passions with design work, she has a creative role in implementing programs and facilitating communities to achieve desired goals.
As a full-time consultant and thought-partner, her experiences working with leaders, intermediaries, managers, point-of-service staff, and youth have contributed toward opportunities that prepare all to thrive.
Assessors / Coaches / Trainers
Nickole Fox
Improvement Coach
Dana Robinson
Improvement Coach
Kelly Rossi
Trainer
Yolanda Scarborough
Senior Improvement Coach and Trainer
Kimberly Stokes
Evaluation and Social-Emotional Learning Fellow
Kristine Uyeda
Improvement Coach and Facilitator
Vanessa Vela
Improvement Coach
Program Advisory Committee
Shay Dockery
Delrisha Hayes
Jill Marecki
Kristine Uyeda
Julie Weatherhead
Larry Lunsford
Charol McDonald
Kelly Rossi
Kim Johnson
Nicole Byrd
Julie Wainwright
Caitlynn Upton
Heidi Miller
Eric Miller
Tammy Hurvitz
Dana Robinson
Yolanda Scarborough
Transition Committee
Alise Alousi, InsideOut Literary Arts
Megan Fenkell, Jacob Family Foundation
Antoine Jackson, Mack Community Development
Monica Marie Jones, Monica Marie Jones Coaching
Andrea Meyer, Center for Success Network
DeLashea Strawder, Mosiac Youth Theater
Terry Whitfield, The Skillman Foundation
Keep In Touch
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