PASE Network News

Young Futures has announced their latest funding opportunity focused on youth and digital spaces: The Express Yourself Challenge. This funding opportunity will distribute a minimum of $1.5M+ in grants across 10+ organizations, with individual awards ranging from $50,000 to $100,000. As gender and digital life become increasingly intertwined, young people are navigating identity, belonging, pressure, and safety in real time — shaped not just by culture, but by algorithms, recommendation feeds, and platform norms. This funding challenge exists to back solutions that help young people develop a strong sense of self — online and offline — while navigating digital tension. There are three funding tracks: 1. Girl On Fire, for projects supporting girls in building confidence, agency, and healthy relationships, 2. In My Dreams, for projects geared towards supporting boys in expanding definitions of masculinity and strengthening emotional awareness, and 3. Just The Way You Are, for projects aimed to support trans and gender-expansive youth in feeling seen, safe, and supported. Applicants can read full details via their request for proposals (RFP), and apply for the funding opportunity by May 19, 2026 at 8:00 PM EST. 

The NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault’s Project DOT is a youth leadership sexual violence prevention program for young people between the ages of 13-24. Project DOT is currently seeking youth programs to host their free workshops. These workshops are designed to be engaging, affirming, and culturally responsive, with a goal of equipping young people with the tools to lead, advocate, and foster safer communities. Current curriculum topics include social identities & leadership, healthy & unhealthy relationships, sexual violence prevention, consent & boundary setting, and bystander intervention. The Project DOT team can work with sites to coordinate workshops to best align with their schedules and needs. If you are interested in Project DOT, check out their sign-up form to learn more about our curriculum topics and register for a one-time workshop.   

Do you know students who are curious about independent boarding schools and the unique opportunities they provide? Encourage them to attend the 2026 Making IT Happen Boarding School Fair on May 13, 2026 from 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM at Manhattan Business Academy (351 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011). There will be over 50 independent boarding schools in attendance, highlighting a wide range of educational and enrichment experiences. Contact mihfair@gmail.com with any questions. 

Brooklyn Debate League is recruiting rising 6th graders through rising 12th graders to participate in their free Summer Debate Camps. The middle school camp runs from July 6, 2026 to July 17, 2026 and the high school camp runs from July 20, 2026 to August 7, 2026. Both camps run from Monday – Friday from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM each day and are based out of St. Francis College (179 Livingston St, Brooklyn, NY 11201). Students will build confidence speaking in front of others while learning the fundamentals of debate, argumentation, and persuasive communication. Students of all experience levels are welcome. Learn more and apply via the digital application by April 15, 2026.