The Nashville After Zone Alliance (NAZA) celebrated a major milestone on Thursday, December 17, as more than 120 guests gathered at the Adventure Science Center to celebrate its 15th Anniversary. The evening celebrated NAZA’s accomplishments over the past 15 years and the impact of out-of-school time learning for Nashville youth and families. The evening featured remarks by city and NPL …
NAZA 15th Anniversary
For 15 years, the Nashville After Zone Alliance (NAZA) has transformed the lives of thousands of young people in Nashville through out-of-school time learning. On Thursday, December 11, NAZA will celebrate its legacy with a private ceremony for its 15th Anniversary that will be streamed live on YouTube. This milestone event will celebrate the accomplishments of NAZA over the past …
Youth Voice Is Becoming a Priority in Federal Policy and Practice
The Nashville After Zone Alliance (NAZA) is an out-of-school time network, operating as part of the Nashville Public Library that provides funding and support for programs to increase youths’ equitable access to out-of-school time learning experiences that help youth thrive and develop to their full potential. One of the ways that we engage with youth directly is empowering them through …
Community Celebrates Youth at First Annual Youth Matters Gala & Showcase
More than 100 youth and adults gathered on Thursday, June 8, 2023 for the first annual Youth Matters Gala & Showcase. The event was created by the youth leaders of NAZA’s Youth In Action! to showcase their work over the past year and provide a space for youth and adults to support and learn from each other. “I appreciated the …
Youth Matters Gala & Showcase on June 8
Join us on Thursday, June 8 from 3pm-6pm at the Main Library for the first-annual Youth Matters Gala & Showcase! Created by the students of NAZA’s Youth In Action!, the event will highlight their work and accomplishments from the past year and provide a space for youth and adults to support and learn from each other. Participants will get to …
Youth Spotlight: Neema
Meet Neema! Neema is a young leader that is making a difference in her community through NAZA’s Youth In Action! initiative. She first got involved in Youth In Action! through a NAZA-funded afterschool program with DYMON last year. Allie Duke, NAZA’s Youth Advisor and founder of Youth In Action!, recruited Neema and another student to lead a community project. Neema …
NAZA Youth Leaders Secure Grant Funding in National Competition
Representatives from NAZA’s Youth In Action! once more traveled across the country to present their work at a national convening of youth leaders and youth development professionals. Hosted by Every Hour Counts in partnership with Youthprise and Greentrike, the Youth Powered Conference brought youth leaders from 6 cities to Chicago to discuss the future of afterschool programs and submit proposals for funding …
NAZA Youth Leaders Present at National Conference
Representatives from NAZA’s Youth In Action! were invited to lead a session on youth leadership and the future of afterschool programs at the 50 State Afterschool Network Meeting in Washington, D.C. on September 28-30, 2022. Four Nashville youth leaders aged 12-17 – Jordan, Nadia, Itzel, and Mary – were accompanied by Allie Duke, NAZA Youth Advisor, and Edwina Freeman, Director …
Meet NAZA’s Youth Advisor, Allie Duke!
Hi, I’m Allie Duke, NAZA’s Youth Advisor since Summer 2019. I first started with NAZA back in Fall 2017. Ever since I was a freshman in high school, I have been volunteering with Nations Ministry Center, a NAZA-funded program, by tutoring refugee middle school youth at McMurray Middle School. After getting to know them more during snack times, I was …