PASE Network News

The Opportunity Youth Congressional Liaison Program (OYCL) is a three-month paid fellowship that equips U.S. youth ages 16 to 26 with the skills and tools they need to directly advocate to lawmakers. The program was designed with and for Opportunity Youth (16- to 26-year-olds who are not connected to school or the workforce) in order to level up their advocacy skills and connect them to others working for more equitable access to opportunity. Hear more from past participants in this video about the opportunity. Apply via their online application by November 16, 2026. 

Applications are open for YVote’s 2026–27 Changemakers Institute.  YVote leads programming that helps NYC high school students explore community issues, engage with different perspectives, strengthen their leadership skills, and turn their ideas into action. Changemakers Institute is an in-person program designed for NYC high school students who have completed a YVote program or have previous civic, advocacy, organizing, or community engagement experience. During weekly sessions, participants will investigate community issues, learn how systems and decision makers shape them, and develop solutions to present at YVote’s Civic Expo. Sessions take place on Tuesday evenings, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM from December 1, 2026 – March 10, 2027. Apply via their online application by November 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Questions? Contact hello@yvoteny.org or visit yvoteny.org. 

Did you know that CUNY has free application season for New York high school seniors? New York City public high school seniors are able to apply to CUNY schools for free now until November 16, 2026. Starting next week on October 15, 2026 and running through November 16, 2026, all New York State high school seniors can apply to CUNY for free. Head to the CUNY Admissions page to start your application. 

Dorill Initiative is a revolutionary civic arts and cultural institution that advances At-Promise Youth and Families through rigorous arts education, leadership development, and civic action, creating pathways to creativity, opportunity, and belonging across New York City. Their 10-week Saturday Arts Dorill Fall session runs from October 10, 2026 – December 19, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the Lower East Side. The program will offer various types of arts, including dance, spoken word,  drama, media, visual arts, and more, alongside holistic student support. Students ages 10-18 are encouraged to apply. Applications are open until October 9, 2026 via their virtual registration form.  

The Octavia Project will be offering a free afterschool program this fall, and applications are open. Octavia Project Afterschool will be held in person at the Gowanus Canal Conservancy, in Brooklyn. It will run on Thursdays, 3:15 PM - 5:30 PM, from October 22, 2026 – December 10, 2026.  This workshop series is open to young women and trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive youth in 7th-9th grades. In this workshop series, youth will explore conservation and urban ecology, get hands-on learning experiences outside, and do creative art & writing projects. Applications are due by October 18, 2026 via the virtual application on the website. Reach out to meghan@octaviaproject.org with any questions.