New Settlement Apartments' In My Words is an intensive arts workshop incorporating music, storytelling, and filmmaking for young women ages 12 - 18 in the South Bronx. Offered at no cost to participating girls and young women, In My Words explores the role of the arts in personal growth and community health, and art as a catalyst for social change. The Spring Break arts intensive runs April 25 - 30, 2016 and provides a minimum total of 45 hours of arts training and piece-making in multiple media, including a two-night artist retreat. Application deadline is March 25, 2016.

New York On Tech is accepting applications for their 2016 - 2017 Tech Flex Leaders program. The Tech Flex Leaders program is an immersive experience for juniors enrolled in a NYC high school. The program offers students access to weekly technology classes, mentorship with technology professionals and access to professional opportunities across NYC technology companies like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and more. Application deadline is April 3, 2016.

YouthBridge-NY hosts a two-year Fellowship program where high school juniors and seniors from diverse backgrounds participate in intensive trainings on leadership and diversity. The fellowship begins in late August with an overnight program orientation. Fellows meet twice a month for a variety of workshops where they meet with top NYC leaders, learn how to solve problems in their schools, develop professional skills, and participate in volunteer opportunities. Applications for the 2016-2018 class are now open for 10th graders for participation during their junior and senior years. Applications are considered in the order in which they are received.

The New York Public Library is accepting nominations for the 2016 Brooke Russell Astor Award. Established by David Rockefeller in 1987, the Astor Award is presented annually by the Library to an exceptional unsung hero whose career has been dedicated to improving his or her community in New York City. The ideal Astor Award candidate could be a nonprofit leader or educator whose work has improved the lives of children and families in the City’s most under-resourced neighborhoods. This year’s Astor Award will be presented on May 19, 2016 at the Library’s annual Spring Dinner. The winner will be awarded a cash prize of $10,000. Nominations are due March 28, 2016.

Forum for Youth Investment is hosting a free thought leader conference call, Job Skills and Minority Youth: Putting Theory into Practice, on March 16, 2016 at 2:00 pm ET. Most of the determinants of youth employment rates are beyond the control of youth programs. An exception: the interview process. Many youth programs provide tips and practice. How many actually work to improve their participants' interview success rates? Join Karen Pittman, Forum for Youth Investment and researcher Bart Hirsch, Northwestern University for a discussion of how youth development and youth employment programs can use input from professional HR interviewers to improve their participants' chances of nailing the interview. Hirsch deconstructed the interview process, developed tools and trainings for youth professionals, and tested their utility with Chicago high school students. Register to participate.

AfterSchool Works! NY: the New York State Afterschool Network's (ASW:NYSAN) 2016 Annual Conference - From Quality to Sustainability: Advancing Youth Success takes place April 15 - 16, 2016 in Saratoga Springs, NY. The conference provides training, professional development, and networking opportunities for program staff and directors to increase the quality and sustainability of their programs. Over 30+ workshops will be held with a keynote address from Shawn Stelow Griffin, Senior Director for Collaborative Communications. Group discounts available.

The New York Community Trust's Hive Digital Media Learning Fund (the Fund) is accepting applications for Innovator and Catalyst grants. Pre-approved Hive NYC members are eligible to apply for both grant categories. Catalyst grant applications will be accepted from tax-exempt, New York City-based nonprofits seeking to adopt, adapt, or remix previously-funded projects created by Hive NYC members, and distribute them to wider audiences. Previous or current affiliation with Hive NYC is not required. Proposals are due at noon on May 20, 2016. Visit the Request for Proposals page to access guidelines, key dates, and application. The Fund is hosting an information session on March 23, 2016. Pre-registration is required. Email your full name and organizational affiliation to hive@nyct-cfi.org by 12:00 pm on March 22.

The Human Services Council, a leading advocate for nonprofits providing human services, has released a report calling for urgent reforms to ensure the health of the sector, which is responsible for delivering essential government services to 2.5 million New Yorkers each year. The report, New York Nonprofits in the Aftermath of FEGS: A Call to Action, identifies chronic problems and offers solutions for strengthening the nonprofit human services sector.

Partnering for Success: The Role of Afterschool in College Persistence is a report produced by PASE on afterschool’s role in college persistence. Made possible through generous funding from the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, along with support and collaboration from a wide variety of partners, the report highlights the transformative and crucial work that afterschool programs can do to support students be successful in higher education.