In July, the Texas Youth Action Network (TYAN), a statewide initiative led by the Public Policy Research Institute (PPRI) at Texas A&M University, hosted its annual Summer Community Conference in College Station. The event welcomed a vibrant new cohort of Community Partners from across the state, each committed to advancing youth engagement in their communities:
- St. Francis Ministries – Lubbock
- Nailed It Academy – Mesquite
- The Sanders Hand – Houston
- HYPE Freedom School – Houston
- Texas Alliance for Youth Success – Edinburg
- Texas Alliance for Child and Family Services – Austin
- Royal Thoughts – Missouri City
- G.R.O.W. Youth – Rosharon
The conference marked the start of their multi-year journey with TYAN’s Learning Collaborative, a shared space for growth, reflection and skill-building in youth engagement. TYAN Program Director Dr. Emily Naiser opened the event by outlining the initiative’s mission to foster intergenerational collaboration and empower young leaders.
“[This] is more than a training — it’s a movement,” she said. “We’re honored to work alongside these dedicated organizations as they champion youth voice and build transformative partnerships in their communities.”
Dr. Dottie Carmichael, Director of PPRI, highlighted the long-term impact of TYAN’s work. She said, “At PPRI, we are proud to support initiatives like TYAN that invest in the future of Texas by preparing young people for community leadership. This conference reflects our commitment to evidence-based strategies that create lasting impact.”
TYAN is funded by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and operates as part of the state’s broader efforts to promote youth development and community engagement. Through this partnership, PPRI provides research-driven infrastructure and strategic guidance, while DSHS supports TYAN’s mission to cultivate sustainable youth-adult partnerships across Texas.
With new partners on board, TYAN continues to build momentum for youth empowerment and intergenerational collaboration statewide.