Baltimore Children & Youth Fund Kicks off Annual Learning Circles Cohorts to Strengthen Youth Development Leaders

BALTIMORE, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Baltimore Children & Youth Fund (BCYF) is proud to announce the launch of its 2025 Learning Circles, a transformative initiative designed to support youth development leaders in Baltimore City. These cohort-style learning groups will provide participants with specialized insights, meaningful discussions, and actionable strategies to strengthen their organizations and leadership in the youth development sector.

BCYF's Learning Circles will feature seven facilitated sessions led by local experts, offering a collaborative space for nonprofit professionals to problem-solve, share knowledge, and build capacity. This culminates on June 3 at the Community Exhibition, the science fair style event where program participants will display their learnings for the community. Participants can expect:

• Interactive, expert-led sessions fostering dialogue and innovative thinking.
• Activities with a focus on organizational growth, narrative change, and youth development strategies.
• Methods emphasizing peer learning, resource-sharing, and actionable strategies.

"BCYF's Learning Circles are an investment in Baltimore's youth development leaders," said Alysia Lee, President & CEO of BCYF. "By creating spaces where leaders can collaborate, problem-solve, and grow, we are ensuring that organizations serving our city's young people have the tools and support they need to thrive."

The 2024 Learning Circles provided invaluable opportunities for collaboration and growth among youth development leaders. The Learning Circles are an integral part of BCYF's learning lab, a city-wide series designed to explore racial justice and liberatory practices in youth-centered organizations. As a key component of this initiative, the Learning Circles offer facilitated sessions that foster collaborative problem-solving and capacity-building among youth development leaders. This structure aligns with the learning lab's mission to convene intergenerational leaders, providing them with the tools and networks necessary to implement effective, community-driven solutions in Baltimore.

At the conclusion of last year's session, 95% of participants strongly agreed that the program advanced their knowledge and skills, while 91% strongly agreed that it fostered meaningful collaboration and dialogue among attendees. This year, BCYF will expand on these sessions with new topics, deeper engagement, and additional resources to further empower organizations and leaders. 2025 Learning Circle Topics include:

• Nonprofit Infrastructure Bootcamp: Strengthening foundational systems such as governance, financial management, and compliance to ensure organizational sustainability.
• Youth Development Best Practices: Exploring proven strategies and innovative approaches to enhance programming and outcomes for youth.
• Storytelling: Learning how to craft compelling narratives to advocate for change, engage stakeholders, and amplify the impact of youth-serving initiatives.

"Attendees can expect an engaging and dynamic experience filled with expert insights, meaningful discussions, and practical strategies they can immediately implement in their organizations," added Lee. "These sessions are designed to be interactive and supportive, fostering a community of learning and innovation."

Through this initiative, BCYF continues to reinforce its commitment to strengthening Baltimore's youth development ecosystem by equipping organizations with the resources, knowledge, and networks necessary for long-term impact.

For more information on Learning Circles and how to participate, visit bcyfund.org. For media inquiries, please contact Simone Blackman at [email protected].i

About the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund:

Baltimore Children & Youth Fund (BCYF) builds partnerships that support the ecosystem focused on opportunities for Baltimore youth by providing support to leaders and organizations. 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