
Together we can strengthen our advocacy in 2022
Born and raised in the District, I have dedicated my career to working with young people in our city. Growing up, I was a member of the Kingman Boys and Girls Club. I ran a life skills program for teenagers at the same club, where I now serve on the board of directors. I understand the essential role out-of-school-time programs play in the lives of young people.
Poverty in the District of Columbia hasn’t decreased from when I was a kid to now. Even while millions of dollars have flowed into the District’s economy for new businesses and building projects, the city hasn’t used that revenue to deepen investments in our children, youth and families: one-third of the District's Black children still live in concentrated poverty. This disturbing statistic has not changed in 30 years. And nine out of 10 of those children are Black or brown. We must not stand by and accept the status quo.

Young people need spaces where they can learn new things and master skills, whether it’s music or sports or something off the beaten path. They need spaces where they are encouraged to think creatively about who they are and what they want to do with their lives. DC Action’s Out-of-School Time Coalition brings together scores of organizations that are providing just those opportunities, and together with youth and their families, they advocate for more access to quality, affordable youth development programs for everyone who wants them.
Tiffany Ward is a native Washingtonian, DC resident, and a proud member of the DC Action board of directors. She works to advance racial equity in the region, and has run several out-of-school-time programs in the District.
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