Youth Development Institute

The Youth Development Institute (YDI) supports the positive development of young people by promoting the principles and practices that enable them to thrive.

YDI has led the field in promoting Positive Youth Development in New York City for 25 years by developing innovative program models, serving as a technical assistance provider to numerous City initiatives, training individual practitioners, supporting organizations to bolster their youth development programming, and providing organizational development support. 

Our approach to building capacity around youth development draws on best practices in youth development research, organizational development, and adult learning theory. We leverage these areas of expertise to help our clients build effective infrastructure, craft intentional and rigorous strategies and develop a culture where excellent youth development practice can take root. We then facilitate the translation of youth development principles into concrete strategies that practitioners can use in their everyday work with youth.