What is it?
The Youth Organizer Training Program is for Vermont students going into 7th-12th grade who are interested in organizing for social justice. We partner with Outright Vermont to provide five daylong training retreats throughout the 2026-2027 school year. In the program, you will have the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of youth organizing, support our Youth Social Justice Network, and help guide the Education Justice Coalition’s work.
What’s involved? What are the expectations?
Attend five daylong training retreats. The dates for the training retreats are:
Saturday, September 12th 10am-4pm in Benson, VT
Saturday, November 7th 10am-4pm in Burlington, VT
Saturday, February 6th 10am-4pm in Burlington, VT
Saturday, April 3rd 10am-4pm in Burlington, VT
Saturday, June 5th 10am-4pm in Benson, VT
Attend our Full Coalition Retreat February 12-14, 2027. This is an overnight retreat that’ll start around 5pm on Feb. 12th and end around 2pm on Feb. 14th. If you aren’t allowed to stay overnight, you can just come for the day on Feb. 13th.
Attend a monthly Zoom meeting. Zoom meetings will be 1.5 hours. We’ll choose a time for the meetings based on the availability of the youth organizers.
Help support our Youth Social Justice Network by offering trainings, planning events, and communicating with school clubs.
What will I get out of it?
Youth organizers will be offered a $75 stipend for each of the training retreats they attend. They will receive $50 for each additional 5 hours they work per month.
Youth organizers will be able to build relationships with both youth and adult organizers throughout the state.
Youth organizers will gain valuable skills that they can use to build a better world.
How do I apply?
Apply here by June 1st. We encourage youth to apply who are committed to social justice and believe in collective liberation for all people including people of color, people with disabilities, queer and trans people, immigrants, poor people, and other people who are marginalized by society. If you’re not sure what this means, join one of our Summer Social Justice Camps to learn!
We will accept 10 people to the program this year. Interviews will take place June 8-19th. Decisions will be made by June 24th. Contact kayla.edjvt@gmail.com with questions.
Nominate a Youth!
We are seeking youth from all over to the state to be in the program and we need your help! Do you know a young person who would enjoy spending a few weekends during the school year getting paid to build organizing skills and discuss social justice issues? Fill out this short form to nominate them for the program! Nominations will close on May 18th.