No one will ever accuse the World Youth Foundation (WYF) of dreaming small. The 34-year-old organization dedicated to empowering youth, families, and communities boldly declares its vision for anyone who’s listening.
“At the World Youth Foundation, we envision a world where every young person and family has the opportunity to thrive, succeed and contribute positively to society,” said Karen Franklin, the WYF president and CEO. “Our goal is to create a sustainable future by empowering youth with the necessary skills, resources, and support to unlock their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.”
Achieving the vision
To achieve that vision, Franklin and crew are committed to implementing a multi-faceted approach that focuses on empowering youth, promoting social and racial justice, enhancing education and technology access and engaging in community development.
“We will provide programs that empower students to develop essential skills such as good physical and mental health, personal values, communication skills, and digital mastery. By fostering personal growth and development, we aim to equip youth with the tools they need to succeed in today’s competitive world,” shared Franklin, whose organization’s programs offer a myriad of opportunities ranging from internships, apprenticeships, mentoring, and exposure to STEM, entrepreneurship, agriculture, environmental justice and other opportunities.
To that point, WYF marked the beginning of its 34th year with a launch event that unveiled some of its groundbreaking programs, including the revamped Youth Innovation Incubator Program (YIIP) and the STEM Innovation Industry Pathways (SIPP).
Franklin recognizes that WYF cannot truly empower youth if social and racial justice remains out of reach.
“We are dedicated to bridging the gap in social and racial justice to create a more just and equitable society for all. Through our initiatives, we strive to address systemic inequalities and advocate for a fair and inclusive world where every individual is treated with dignity and respect,” she said.
“At the World Youth Foundation, we envision a world where every young person and family has the opportunity to thrive, succeed and contribute positively to society. Our goal is to create a sustainable future by empowering youth with the necessary skills, resources, and support to unlock their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.”
karen franklin
Education and technology
Two areas where WYF strongly advocates equity and inclusion are the education and technology spaces.
“We believe that every person deserves access to quality education and technology. By bridging the gap between education and technology, we aim to ensure that future generations have the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world,” shared Franklin, who purposefully invited education and tech leaders of color to a recent WYF event, so the youth and their parents could not only hear from Black leaders in these areas but also experience the added benefit of seeing education and tech game-changers who look like them.
Living examples
Highlighting this focus, Franklin, WYF Executive Vice President Trice Johnson and Dr. Preeta Vandible Stallworth, District IX Trustee for the Houston Community College Board participated in a panel discussion on the future landscape shaped by emerging technologies, AI, certification programs, mentorships, and innovative ways of investing in the younger generation and communities.
WYF also hosted a panel discussion titled “Men of Greatness: Leading with Purpose, Passion, and Brotherhood,” led by Eric Harrison, CEO of EYP Coaching; a session featuring speakers Pascal Watty, Keron Williams and Allen Thornton who shared experiences of resilience, courage and collaboration in the face of adversity.
Community development
And WYF is serious about community development, an area the organization views as involving literally every aspect of life, including arts and culture, children and youth development, economic empowerment, environmental justice, health and wellness, literacy promotion, support for homelessness and foster youth, teacher development, technology education and workforce capacity building.
“Through these efforts, we aim to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families globally,” added Franklin, who recognizes that WYF success depends on their “It takes a village” approach to engaging stakeholders (government officials, community leaders, and residents) in everything they do.
This includes the design and implementation of the WYF Food Harvest Program, also known as its Public Policy, Civic Awareness and Healthy Families and Communities awareness initiative.
Moving forward, WYF seeks to grow its community of collaborating partners to expand both the number of families they serve and the funds needed to do so.
Foster shared, “By fostering a sense of belonging, collaboration, and solidarity among youth from diverse backgrounds, we aim to create lasting positive impacts on their lives and communities worldwide. Together, with the support of generous donors and partners, we can build a brighter future for youth and families, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and make a difference.”
