WHAT IS THE YDI? The YDI is an entity dedicated to

research and policy as well as to creating and/or identifying spaces so that people who work with youth development can do so systemically.

MISSION: VISION:

There are an estimated 1,026,916 children and youth between the ages 0 to 21 in Puerto Rico.

DID YOU KNOW THAT:

57% of our children and youth live under the poverty line in Puerto Rico.84% of children and youth in Puerto Rico live in high poverty areas.

Its vision is to transform the systems that affect children and youth through the alignment and mobilization of sectors, getting themto adopt a common youth advocacy agenda for Puerto Rico.

The YDI’s mission is to guarantee adequate environments and promote favorable conditions in which children and youth may develop to their greatest potential.

The Instituto del Desarrollo de la Juventud (Youth Development Institute, YDI) is an independent nonprofit organization created by the leaders of Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico. The YDI emerged as a response to the urgent need of approaching youth develop-ment issues from a systemic perspective, through the analysis of research, data, and policy to drive collective action.

Its four programmatic areas focus on (1) centralizing and publishing statistics and research on youth online at juventupr.org/en; (2) increasing knowledge on youth develop-ment through training and capacity building; (3) mobilizing organizations and resources dedicated to youth, and (4) developing a public policy agenda for the positive devel-opment of its 0 to 21 population.

WHY DO WE DO IT? We are the first private nonprofit organization in Puerto Rico dedicated to thinking of youth development in a systemic way and translating it into collective action and policy.

There are multiple individual efforts and initiatives that need to be aligned towards common and measurable goals.

Decisions that impact kids and youth are rarely data-driven and are frequently based on perception instead of real need.

Children and youth are the most vulnerable population, but are not systematically taken into consideration when assigning policy priorities.

Youth-serving organizations and professionals need a resource hub to access data, training, and informationthat can facilitate and strengthen their work.

YDI AIMS TO: Unify, align, and mobilize entities and individuals that impact children and youth development in Puerto Rico.

Research and disclose valid and reliable information on efforts and opportunities for children and youth development. Create favorable environments and conditions through advocacy efforts, surveillance of current public policy, and a common national agenda for change. Offer resources for individuals and organizations working day-to-day with children and youth.

OUR VALUES:Advocates on behalf of children and youth.

Views children and youth as valuableresources capable of effecting change.

Promotes and defends children and youth rights.

Innovates in the development of solutions that benefit children and youth.

Serves as an institutional catalyst for changes that benefit children and youth in Puerto Rico.

WEB PAGE:An open data source with statistics, research, and best practices on topics that impact children and youth development.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:Phone: 1.787.728.3939 Email: info@juventupr.orgWeb: www.juventudpr.org/en

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