Opening Plenary of Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Aims for Systemic Change in Youth Development

Baltimore Children and Youth Fund's Opening Plenary: A Turning Point for Youth Development

The Baltimore Children and Youth Fund (BCYF) is gearing up for a significant event next month—the Opening Plenary of its learning lab. This crucial gathering is not just an event; it represents a deep commitment to enhancing youth development across Baltimore. Scheduled to take place from February 23-26 in New Orleans, the plenary is set to concentrate on creative models and strategies that align with Baltimore's evolving Youth Master Plan (YMP), inspired by the New Orleans Youth Master Plan. Participants will have the unique opportunity to delve into the youth development ecosystem of New Orleans, fostering a wealth of knowledge that can be brought back to Baltimore for impactful change.

BCYF isn't new to innovation in systemic change within communities. Their approach to grantmaking combines financial support with capacity building, making them one of the few organizations that operate this way. Grants are awarded to a variety of programs, prioritizing those that reach high-poverty communities and center on youth-focused initiatives. Through personalized tools designed for long-term success—including support plans, cohort learning, and specialized professional development experiences like the upcoming plenary—BCYF is committed to empowering nonprofits. A recent evaluation by the University of Maryland, Baltimore revealed that a remarkable 95% of learning lab participants felt their knowledge and skills had significantly advanced due to the program.

The 2025 Opening Plenary builds on community feedback gathered during the 2024 learning lab, highlighting the need for greater intentional collaboration within Baltimore's youth development sphere. This year, the plenary seeks to meet that need by demonstrating how well-coordinated collaboration between community organizations, governmental bodies, and youth can engender significant, lasting change.

"This year’s plenary marks the beginning of the learning lab, emphasizing collaboration, inspiration, and alignment around BCYF’s vision for Baltimore’s youth development ecosystem," stated Alysia Lee, President and CEO of BCYF. The plenary will also unveil Baltimore’s new Youth Master Plan, which will be shaped by the insights and accomplishments learned from the New Orleans Youth Master Plan. Participants will gain valuable insights into historical and social movements that have molded youth development, enriching the development process of the new Youth Master Plan and sketches to reimagine a forward-thinking Baltimore.

Three essential objectives will guide the plenary:
1. Understanding how a citywide youth initiative like the one in New Orleans has been structured and adapted to serve young people.
2. Encouraging dialogue between cities to share practices that might elevate Baltimore’s youth developmental work.
3. Building networks among stakeholders to fortify the collective capabilities of organizations that serve Baltimore’s youth.

Kicking off with a Welcome Reception featuring leaders from the New Orleans Mayor's Office of Youth and Families, the plenary will continue over the next two days with historical site visits exploring the intersections of history, equity, and youth empowerment. Discussions with local Youth Master Plan collaborators will provide insights into executing systemic change, ultimately concluding with a collaborative session to develop actionable strategies for launching the Baltimore Youth Master Plan.

This plenary serves not only as a venue to deepen shared commitments but also to ignite collaboration and identify tangible steps to reinforce Baltimore’s youth development ecosystem through the Youth Master Plan. By learning from the real-world successes of New Orleans’ initiative, participants will find inspiration to cultivate a vibrant and equitable future for the youth in Baltimore.

For further details regarding BCYF and the Opening Plenary, visit BCYF’s website.

About Baltimore Children and Youth Fund

Launched in 2015 as a response to the social unrest in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray, BCYF was originally championed by then-City Council President Bernard "Jack" C. Young. The Fund aims to rectify historical public funding inequities in Black communities, and since 2020, it has channeled over $31 million in grants to programs dedicated to supporting the youth of Baltimore.