CA4Y received $750,000 to launch a Youth-Led Organizing Entity

Collective Action For Youth is excited to announce the launch of a new youth organizing strategy focused on communities most in need of closer collaboration between juvenile justice and child protective systems. The new entity is made possible by generous funding from the Houston Endowment.

During 2020, CA4Y, like many other organizations, had to shift and adapt work to an environment that was safe during the global pandemic. While we moved to hosting virtual meetings with Residential Treatment Centers and other partners, we were able to fulfill a planned commitment for 2020 supporting other community organizations that work directly with youth and families.

As a result, Collective Action For Youth ended the year receiving an investment that builds on its own innovative work. As part of the Houston Endowment’s commitment to supporting Black leaders and organizers, CA4Y received $750,000 to launch a Youth-Led Organizing Entity built upon the work of Collective Action For Youth

and Community Collaboration efforts, led by Dieter Cantu and the work of the Youth and Community Specialists.

The new entity includes programming dedicated to organizing in communities most affected by the juvenile justice and child protective systems, aimed at including the voices of youth and young adults in program development and design. In addition it emphasizes employing individuals with lived experience in the juvenile justice and child protective systems to push toward true system transformation.

CA4Y plans to use the funds to build the infrastructure for this work, increase staffing, and redesign organizing efforts to focus on issues that matter most to young people in Houston and Harris County.

More information on the launch of the new organization and opportunities to engage is expected in Summer 2021.