The Nashville After Zone Alliance (NAZA) is an out-of-school time network, operating as part of the Nashville Public Library that provides funding and support for programs to increase youths’ equitable access to out-of-school time learning experiences that help youth thrive and develop to their full potential. One of the ways that we engage with youth directly is empowering them through …
Community Celebrates Youth at First Annual Youth Matters Gala & Showcase
More than 100 youth and adults gathered on Thursday, June 8, 2023 for the first annual Youth Matters Gala & Showcase. The event was created by the youth leaders of NAZA’s Youth In Action! to showcase their work over the past year and provide a space for youth and adults to support and learn from each other. “I appreciated the …
Youth Matters Gala & Showcase on June 8
Join us on Thursday, June 8 from 3pm-6pm at the Main Library for the first-annual Youth Matters Gala & Showcase! Created by the students of NAZA’s Youth In Action!, the event will highlight their work and accomplishments from the past year and provide a space for youth and adults to support and learn from each other. Participants will get to …
Youth Spotlight: Neema
Meet Neema! Neema is a young leader that is making a difference in her community through NAZA’s Youth In Action! initiative. She first got involved in Youth In Action! through a NAZA-funded afterschool program with DYMON last year. Allie Duke, NAZA’s Youth Advisor and founder of Youth In Action!, recruited Neema and another student to lead a community project. Neema …
NAZA Youth Leaders Secure Grant Funding in National Competition
Representatives from NAZA’s Youth In Action! once more traveled across the country to present their work at a national convening of youth leaders and youth development professionals. Hosted by Every Hour Counts in partnership with Youthprise and Greentrike, the Youth Powered Conference brought youth leaders from 6 cities to Chicago to discuss the future of afterschool programs and submit proposals for funding …
NAZA Youth Leaders Present at National Conference
Representatives from NAZA’s Youth In Action! were invited to lead a session on youth leadership and the future of afterschool programs at the 50 State Afterschool Network Meeting in Washington, D.C. on September 28-30, 2022. Four Nashville youth leaders aged 12-17 – Jordan, Nadia, Itzel, and Mary – were accompanied by Allie Duke, NAZA Youth Advisor, and Edwina Freeman, Director …
Meet NAZA’s Youth Advisor, Allie Duke!
Hi, I’m Allie Duke, NAZA’s Youth Advisor since Summer 2019. I first started with NAZA back in Fall 2017. Ever since I was a freshman in high school, I have been volunteering with Nations Ministry Center, a NAZA-funded program, by tutoring refugee middle school youth at McMurray Middle School. After getting to know them more during snack times, I was …