Our Impact

Empowering youth to lead change.

Philly Cohort

Through our Philadelphia cohort, we partner with the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, specifically the Office of Juvenile Diversion, to engage brilliant young people across the city who have adjudicated cases.

This cohort goes beyond traditional civic education. Rather than focusing solely on the branches of government, students dive deeply into public policy—exploring how it is created, how it functions, and most importantly, how it directly shapes and impacts their lives and communities.

Since launching the cohort, students have worked collaboratively to develop a comprehensive policy proposal aimed at addressing mental health challenges and reducing chronic absenteeism: the Student Engagement and Attendance Support Act. This student-led policy reflects their lived experiences, insights, and commitment to creating meaningful change in their schools.

As a culmination of their work, participants had the opportunity to present their policy at Philadelphia City Hall to leadership from the School District of Philadelphia, including Chief of Curriculum and Instruction Ny Francis-Thompson, as well as Isaiah Thomas, Chair of City Council’s Education Committee.