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We’re excited to share the latest updates, stories, and opportunities happening at BBAY. Each quarter, we highlight the incredible work happening in our community and keep you in the loop on how we’re building a more connected and supportive Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park for young people.
Now Recruiting Youth Directors to join the BBAY Board!
This January, BBAY will welcome four new Youth Directors to the Board. Youth Directors participate fully in board conversations, vote on key actions, and bring valuable perspectives. If you are connected to Brooklyn Center and/or Brooklyn Park, we'd love for you to consider joining our board and guiding our work. This is a stipended position. Applications are due on December 18th!
To learn more, review the Youth Director Role Overview and APPLY HERE. Questions? Contact Kennedy (kennedy@brooklynsallianceforyouth.org)
We wrapped up the first three years of Reimagine with strong momentum: Black Youth Space, the Black Joy Retreat, policy priorities, and digital wellbeing work all played central roles. We are now officially in Year 1 of the 5-year Communities That Care model, deepening prevention work focused on substance use, mental health, and protective factors grounded in youth voice. This past quarter, BBAY & RBYMH...
- Secured multi-year funding through MDH + new philanthropic partners.
- Launched Key Leader onboarding with our Board of Directors.
- Hired five new youth interns to advance and lead the initiative, including a partnership with Hennepin County focused on suicide prevention.
- Packaging and strengthening the "Safety Online" digital wellbeing curriculum for schools + families.
Communities that Care Grant
The Communities that Care framework uses a proven social development strategy, which aligns closely with BBAY’s current approach. This includes:
- Creating opportunities for youth
- Building skills to engage in those opportunities
- Providing recognition for using those skills
- Setting clear expectations
- Building bonding and connection
Through it all, our work will remain Black-centered, youth-led, and community-driven.
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Stay connected to Reimagine by subscribing to their newsletter here and follow Reimagine on Instagram.
 This fall marked a powerful start to Year 2 of the Elevate Youth! initiative. As students returned to school, our teams stepped back into spaces across Brooklyn Center, Park Center, Cooper, and Champlin Park with a clear focus: deepen belonging, strengthen youth leadership, and keep learning rooted in joy.
Culturally Responsive Tutoring
BBAY welcomed Stephany Aguirre-Lopez, Culturally Responsive Tutoring (CRT) Coordinator, to the team last month, and with this, the program is stepping into its next phase of growth. Tutor teams are expanding, partnerships with school staff are renewing, and students are helping shape how tutoring feels and functions at each site. Their feedback is guiding everything—from how sessions are structured to how we connect with youth who haven’t yet seen themselves in academic support spaces.
BBAY is also hiring PT Lead Adult Tutors to support Culturally Responsive Tutoring! Fill out an application today: https://forms.office.com/g/ZCsGvVwamZ
 Youth OnBoard
Youth OnBoard (YOB) has also entered this year with fresh momentum. Members are building confidence and community as they step into real decision-making spaces across the Brooklyns. YOB students are showing just how powerfully young people influence systems when adults make room at the table. This quarter, members at all four schools have expressed a shared excitement about being part of something that not only builds their leadership skills but also connects them directly to the issues shaping their communities.
To highlight and celebrate the momentum of this program, YOB is hosting an Open House on December 12th from 3 pm - 6 pm at the Brooklyn Center Community Center. We hope you will join us for an afternoon of building power & connection with local leaders, partners, and YOB youth leaders! REGISTER HERE.
Stay Connected with BBAY:
College and Career Pathways Newsletter
Brooklyns Connect (FREE activities and events) Newsletter
RBYMH Newsletter
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