At UP for Learning, we believe young people are not just the future—they are the changemakers of today. Every day, we create opportunities for youth to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully as global citizens, community builders, and essential members of the workforce.
Our impact continues to grow. UP works in all Brandywine SD schools, and began similar work on developing Student Voice advisories in Red Clay this fall (
read more here). In 2024–2025, UP partnered with
118 schools, guiding
1,620 youth and
325 adult leaders in building authentic youth-adult partnerships. Survey data shows a
26% increase in young people who feel a strong responsibility to make their school better—a powerful reflection of the culture shift UP helps spark: one of shared voice, responsibility, and belonging.
UP's
FY25 Annual Report highlights how our research-based model transforms learning communities. Multi-year data in Brandywine now confirms what we see every day: when youth share power in decision-making, entire school cultures change for the better. Through our Youth Internship Program (YIP), we see what’s possible when young people are true partners in learning and leading.
Your donation makes this transformation possible in Delaware. It ensures UP can continue working with all schools—regardless of their ability to pay—while growing programs like the YIP and addressing the financial realities of inflation. Your support sustains our mission to help school communities use civic engagement and collective action to address local and global inequities.
One youth partner shared, “Working with UP for Learning gave me confidence and meaningful connections that I will cherish forever. By focusing on improving youth-adult partnerships, I began to realize that I not only have a voice, but it matters and is important. I am so grateful that I got the opportunity to work with UP, as it truly changed me for the better.”
An adult partner reflected, “Asking us to reflect on our ‘why’ helped me rediscover why I wanted to become a teacher in the first place—and more importantly, who I want to be for my students and my community.”
Thank you for believing in young people—and in the power of shared leadership to shape a more just and equitable future.