Join the Student Movement for Inclusion and Justice
Who We Are
YCD is a youth-led leadership and activism training program, where students ages 11-18 can build community and self-confidence, learn critical skills for advocacy and changemaking, and ignite a passion for advancing inclusion and justice in our communities.
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Youth Celebrate Diversity was founded on the belief that young people have the power to create a more just, inclusive, and connected world.
For more than 35 years, YCD has empowered high school students with the leadership skills, education, and support they need to become changemakers in their schools and communities. Today, YCD partners with more than 70 chapters across Colorado, helping hundreds of students turn their passion into meaningful action each year.
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At YCD, we believe the best way to teach leadership, project management, and social justice is through real-world community organizing. YCD empowers students to identify issues they care about, work together to design solutions, and lead projects that make a meaningful difference in their schools and communities.
Joining YCD as a Chapter is the most comprehensive way to experience our programs, with access to year-long support, leadership trainings, conferences, and coaching. However, any youth organization, school, or community group can work with YCD. Whether you attend a training, join us at our conference, or invite us to lead a workshop, we're committed to helping young people become the leaders and activists they aspire to be.
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Our vision is that one day, every teen will feel safe, respected, and empowered to achieve their potential.
We envision a future where every young person has the confidence, skills, and opportunity to lead positive change in their community.
By investing in youth leadership today, we are supporting the next generation of compassionate, courageous, and engaged leaders who celebrate diversity, foster belonging, and create stronger communities for everyone.
What We Do
We’re building a grassroots movement of students and educators organizing locally, fighting for social justice, and making schools safe and inclusive for all identities.
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YCD partners with 70+ chapters across Colorado, empowering youth to identify a need in their school or community and design a student-led Action Project to address it.
YCD equips chapters with the leadership, facilitation, community organizing, and project planning skills they need to lead their chapter, work together as a team, and turn their ideas into action. Through this hands-on experience, students build the skills and experience to become lifelong community leaders.
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At YCD, we believe meaningful change is possible when young people have the training, tools, and support to lead. Our full-day Power Up! training equips students to lead a YCD Chapter or any youth organization, while Power Forward! teaches students how to design and implement an Action Project that creates real impact in their school or community.
YCD also brings our expertise directly to schools and organizations through customized workshops on leadership, facilitation, community organizing, and more than 75 topics related to justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and access (JEDIBA).
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Each January, YCD hosts our annual conference that brings together student leaders to learn about social justice, showcase the work they’re doing in their communities, and connect with peers from across regions. Any high school student can attend, whether you’re just starting to explore activism, or you’re already leading projects in your community.
Register for the YCD Conference and Other Trainings on our Events Page
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions?
Reach out to us at info@ycdiversity.org!
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Youth Celebrate Diversity (YCD) is a nonprofit organization that empowers youth 11-18 years old to become leaders and changemakers by providing leadership development, education, and activist training to create positive change in their schools and communities.
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A YCD Chapter is a youth-led group of students that commit to a year long process of designing and completing an action project in their school or community with support from YCD.
YCD supports chapters by providing training and education on how to plan an action project as well as support as your chapter completes your action project.
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An Action Project is a student-led initiative that addresses a need or challenge within a school or community. Throughout the year, YCD Chapters identify an issue they are passionate about, develop a plan through YCD's leadership trainings, and then put that plan into action.
Every Action Project is unique, allowing students to turn their ideas into meaningful, real-world impact while developing valuable leadership, teamwork, and community organizing skills.
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At YCD, students lead the way.
We believe young people are the experts on the challenges facing their schools and communities, so rather than telling them what to do, we provide the leadership training, education, mentorship, and tools they need to identify issues they care about, develop solutions, and lead meaningful change.
Through hands-on, real-world experiences, students build the confidence and skills to become lifelong community leaders while creating lasting impact on the issues that matter most to them.
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We intentionally keep membership affordable so more schools and organizations can participate.
YCD Chapter Membership (1 Year): $300
Power Up! Leadership Training (in person): $30 per Person
34th Annual YCD Conference: $30 per Person
If you have questions or concerns with costs or membership fees, please contact Amy Atkins, program manager, at aatkins@ycdiversity.org
Interested in YCD?
Interested in YCD or have a question about our programs?
