National Network for Youth


National Network for Youth was founded in 1974 as the National Network of Runaway and Youth Services. Back then, NNRYS was the :wikt:membership|membership association of community-based organizations that had emerged in the 1970s to focus on the needs of youth in runaway and homeless situations. Today, NN4Y represents more than 500 community-based organizations that provide an array of services to youth and families in the United States and territories. NN4Y members work with their neighborhood youth, adults, associations, and regional and state networks of youth workers to provide street-based services, emergency shelter, transitional living programs, counseling, and social, health, educational and job-related services to over 2.5 million youth each year.

Funding

Many of NN4Y's members receive funding through the federal Runaway and Homeless Youth Act of 1974. Funds and practices from the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the McKinney-Vento Act on homelessness, and the Workforce Investment Act also assist local runaway and homeless youth program operators in leveraging state and local and private funding and accomplishing their mission with a positive youth development philosophy. NN4Y was the architect of the federal Runaway and Homeless Youth Act and still considers that law today as their primary public policy accomplishment. Additionally, NN4Y works closely with Learn & Serve America to engage young people in youth led, youth initiated volunteerism projects in their communities.

Activities

National Network for Youth has five focus areas: public policy, professional development, program dissemination, development and publication of training and information materials, and Symposium.