Advocates for Children of New York (AFC) recently released a report, Sixteen Going on Seventh Grade: Over-Age Students in New York City Middle Schools, to bring attention to the unique needs of over-age middle schoolers and to provide the New York City Department of Education (DOE) with recommendations for improving outcomes for this population. The report urges the DOE to act promptly to create and expand alternative program options for over-age middle school students. The report also recommends further revising promotion policies at all grade levels, making promotion appeals more accessible to families by creating an appeals form and designating central-based staff to assist in difficult cases, and fostering information-sharing by establishing central-based supports for schools serving over-age students. AFC also has a Guide for Over-Age Middle School Students, which informs families about the legal rights of NYC students and about programs for over-age middle school students.

The Sodexo Foundation and Youth Service America (YSA) have opened applications for their Youth Grants program, which offers $400 grants for youth ages 5-25 to turn their ideas about how they can help end childhood hunger in their communities into action. Grants will fund youth-led community service projects designed to address childhood hunger taking place on Global Youth Service Day - April 17-19, 2015 - and beyond. Applications are due January 15, 2015. Youth can read YSA's Service Project Toolkit to improve their project ideas and increase their chances of getting funded.

Lemelson-MIT is seeking applications for InvenTeams, groups comprised of high school students, educators, and mentors that receive up to $10,000 each to invent technological solutions to real-world problems of their own choosing. InvenTeam students rely on inquiry and hands-on problem solving as they apply lessons from science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to develop invention prototypes. STEM educators at high schools and nonprofit educational organizations are eligible to apply with teams of 10-15 youth. Applications are due February 27, 2014. Interested applicants may read about past InvenTeams' projects for inspiration. 

Youth Today, with support from The Robert Bowne Foundation, has launched the Out-of-School Time (OST) Research and Resource Hub, which focuses on topics that address relevant and critical issues in OST. The Hub provides a complete learning experience for anyone who works in OST with children and youth, and also provides resources for board members, funders, researchers, and policy makers who want to gain an in depth understanding of some of the critical issues in the OST field. The first topic area available on the Hub is Language and Literacy, and more will be available soon. Each topic area will provide resources, articles, research, program examples, and professional development opportunities, all grounded in practice for in-depth exploration and deeper learning.

Bryan Stevenson, Founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) and the featured speaker of PASE's 2012 Janet Kelley lecture, recently released Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. The book tells the story of EJI, a nonprofit organization that provides legal representation to indigent defendants and prisoners who have been denied fair and just treatment in the legal system; the people the organization represents; and the importance of confronting injustice. On November 19, 2014 at 6:30pm, Stevenson will give a talk and book signing at Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation in Brooklyn, NY.

The USA Track & Field Foundation Youth Club Grant seeks to support and expand high quality programs and clubs that attract youth from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds and that promote character building, education, and healthy behaviors, including event participation in track and field and cross country/road running. The Foundation favors the use of grant money to expand existing youth programs/clubs, to provide additional competitive opportunities for children, and to enhance the experience for all participants. Preference is given to clubs that are based in low-income areas. It also favors programs that have a history of solid financial management, multiple funding sources, and community support. Allowable expenses include equipment, uniforms, meet fees, travel, facility rental, staff and volunteer training, and outreach. Grant amounts vary. The next application deadline is December 1, 2014.

Lockheed Martin accepts applications from nonprofit organizations and public schools for funding for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Grants must support specific projects or programs, and funding amounts vary. Applications are accepted year-round, though those submitted in the second half of the year may not be able to be considered until the next year's budget cycle.