YCD Power Forward Action Project Training
Turn Ideas Into Action! Create Change in Your Community!
Saturday, December 12, 2026
Great ideas can change a community, but turning an idea into meaningful action takes the right tools, skills, and a plan.
YCD Power Forward is a hands-on, youth-driven, equity-centered training designed to help students and the adults who support them transform community through real world interventions in the form of Action Projects that create positive, lasting change.
Throughout the training, participants will build practical skills they can use to bring an Action Project to life. Through interactive workshops, participants will begin developing a strategic project plan they can continue building after the training.
Whether your group wants to tackle an issue at your school, make your community more inclusive, support mental health, address environmental challenges, or simply make your community a better place, Power Forward gives you the tools to move from “What if?” to “Let’s do it!”
What Is Power Forward?
Power Forward is all about turning passion into a plan and a plan into action!
Participants will learn how to:
Identify meaningful issues and opportunities for change
Make sure every voice is heard throughout the process
Identify the people, skills, and resources that can help make a project successful
Build consensus and make decisions as a team
Create a strategic plan with clear goals and next steps
Communicate their project to the people who can help make it happen
Build skills they can use in school, work, college applications, scholarships, and beyond
Most importantly, participants won't just learn about these skills, they'll practice them and start using them during the training!
What Kind of Projects Can You Create?
Your community. Your project. Your change!
Power Forward can support Action Projects focused on virtually any issue that matters to you and your community, including:
Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging & Access (JEDIBA)
Projects that help create communities where everyone feels seen, heard, valued, and included.
Projects that promote mental health, self-care, community care, connection, and a greater sense of belonging.
Projects that address environmental challenges, promote sustainability, and help communities respond to the effects of climate change.
Anything That Makes Your Community Better!
Have another issue you're passionate about? That's exactly what Power Forward is for!
Workshops
Power Forward features four interactive workshops designed to give participants the tools they need to move an idea from concept to action.
Brainstorming: Making Room for Every Idea
Traditional brainstorming can unintentionally favor people who are quick to speak, comfortable raising their hands, or thrive on coming up with the first idea.
Power Forward introduces more inclusive brainstorming techniques that create space for everyone to contribute.
Participants will learn how to generate ideas in ways that ensure every voice has an opportunity to shape the conversation.
Consensus Building: Make Decisions Together
Good teams don't just make decisions—they make decisions together.
Participants will explore the difference between voting and consensus and learn how consensus-building can create more inclusive and equitable decision-making.
You'll leave with a simple process for building agreement, navigating different perspectives, and moving forward as a team—without relying on the loudest voice in the room.
Asset Mapping: Discover the Resources Around You
Successful projects don't happen alone.
Asset Mapping helps participants identify the skills, talents, relationships, knowledge, resources, and community connections already available to them.
You'll learn how to recognize the strengths within your team and community and turn those assets into the building blocks of a successful project.
Strategic Planning & Project Management: Turn Your Idea Into a Plan
An exciting idea is just the beginning. A strong plan is what helps turn that idea into reality.
Participants will learn how to develop a strategic plan with clear goals, responsibilities, communication strategies, and next steps.
You'll also learn how to present and communicate your project to the right audiences so you can build support, amplify your impact, and confidently talk about your experience.
And these skills don't end when your project does. Learn how to use your action-project experience in job interviews, college applications, scholarship applications, and your resume.
Who Can Participate?
Power Forward is designed for youth—and the adults who support them.
YCD Chapters
Power Forward is FREE for YCD chapters in all formats, thanks to generous support from the Colorado Health Foundation and other community partners!
Student Clubs & Organizations
Not a YCD chapter yet? You can still participate in the in-person training for $30 per person, which includes breakfast, lunch, and all programming.
However, we strongly encourage student groups to consider becoming a YCD chapter. Chapters receive significant benefits at a lower cost, along with ongoing support to help students develop and complete meaningful Action Projects.
Individual Students
Not part of a student club or organization? You can still participate! Students may attend with an adult mentor or chaperone.
Adult Mentors & Educators
Adults can participate alongside their students or attend Power Forward as a representative of a club, school, or organization, even without students attending.
Choose the Format That Works for You
Power Forward isn't one-size-fits-all. Choose the format that best fits your group, schedule, and students' needs.
In-Person
Saturday, December 12, 2026
Join us for the inaugural in-person Power Forward training! The location will be announced based on the geographic location of participating YCD chapters.
Experience the full Power Forward program through interactive, collaborative workshops designed to get your team moving toward action.
1:1 Training
Bring Power Forward directly to your school or organization.
Work with a YCD educator to facilitate one or more Power Forward workshops specifically for your students and adult mentors. Sessions can take place at your school or organization with your group together in person and a YCD educator joining remotely by video.
This format allows your group to focus on the skills and topics that are most relevant to your project.
On-Demand Video Training
Need more flexibility? We've got you covered.
YCD offers on-demand videos covering each Power Forward workshop, allowing your group to learn at a time and pace that works for you.
Use the videos as a complete training series or choose individual workshops based on what your group needs.
Ready to Power Forward?
Your community has challenges. Your students have ideas. Let's turn those ideas into action.
Join YCD for Power Forward and gain the skills, tools, and confidence to create meaningful change one Action Project at a time.
Saturday, December 12, 2026
YCD chapters attend free. Non-chapter participants: $30 per person.