Kalamazoo Youth Development Network / United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region
ADVANCING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH HIGH QUALITY PROGRAMMING AND LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
In 1998, the United Way, the Hispanic American Council, and the City of Kalamazoo partnered with the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation to bring research-based youth development strategies to Kalamazoo. These strategies emphasize developmentally appropriate engagement with adolescents, high-quality adult/youth partnerships, and opportunities for youth leadership.
Operating today under the umbrella of the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, the mission of the Kalamazoo Youth Development Network (KYD Network) is to ensure that all Kalamazoo County youth have access to high-quality out-of-school-time programs that are well coordinated and utilize resources efficiently. KYD Network serves as an intermediary organization, open to all Kalamazoo County out-of-school-time programs and their staff. Currently, KYD Network is implementing the Youth Program Quality Intervention (“YPQI”) for 15 organizations. Through the YPQI, these organizations are improving program quality, thereby increasing both the number of youth participants and the frequency of their participation. Through the YPQI, organizations are maximizing the impact of their programs on youth’s social-emotional learning skills and their school performance, including attendance, behavior, and academic proficiency.