Youth Driven Spaces Conference
The Youth Driven Spaces Conference is an annual opportunity for youth and their adult allies to expand their skills, connect with regional youth programs, and build power. Each Conference includes youth planned and facilitated workshops and a Shark Tank inspired Youth Driven Project Pitches, where organizations pitch future projects and receive funding.
Now accepting applications for workshop proposals and youth-driven project pitches
All proposals & applications should be designed and facilitated by youth participating in organizations across Southeast Michigan.
We are looking for a wide array of youth to discuss topics they think are important SO BE CREATIVE!
Every year we award $5,000 across 5-6 selected youth groups who do a Youth Driven Project Pitch at the Conference.
Past Conferences
2024: Concept of self
The 2024 YDS Conference included teen-led workshops on self love, advocacy through democracy, caring for yourself on social media, and improvising to express yourself.
2023: Transitioning to adulthood
The 2023 YDS Conference included teen-led workshops on Finances 101, Reproductive Justice and Contraception, Mental Health, Habitual/Responsible Voting, and Conscious Activism.
2022: Mental Health
Rescuing the conference from the confines of zoom, teens decided to focus this year's conference on the importance of mental health.
2019
With eight youth-driven workshops this year, we covered anything you could hope to foster in a youth driven space.
The First Ever YDS Conference
The one that began it all.
The first conference was different in many ways; location, sponsors, and even being held on a Sunday but the concept was a home run and set the foundations for the YDS Conference we know and love today.
Thanks to the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation for their generous support for this event!