KydNet

KYD Network serves as the intermediary organization for Kalamazoo County's Out of School Time (OST) sector

BUILDING QUALITY
PROGRAMS AND
READY YOUTH

IMPACT:

When OST participation is high and consistent, there is no gap in low and high income children’s math achievement at grade five.

IMPACT:

When OST participation is high and consistent, there is no gap in low and high income children’s math achievement at grade five.

WE’LL KEEP YOU POSTED

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DISCOVER

OUT OF SCHOOL TIME

Find youth programs
& activities near you.

Use the KYDNet program directory to find fun things for kids to do in Kalamazoo!

Events

Youth Led Action Friday

Aug 10

Kalamazoo Epic Center (Public Media Network)

Read More

What is Kyd Network?

Our Vision is to ensure all Kalamazoo County youth are college, career, and community ready by the age of 21.

Our Mission KYD Network serves as the intermediary organization for Kalamazoo County’s Out of School Time (OST) sector.

Our Goal is implementing a system of quality and accountability to produce the best outcomes for youth who participate in Out of School Time programming and ensure youth have access to a full array of enrichment and learning opportunities that prepare them for college, work, and life.

13%

of Michigan school-age youth participate in OST programs

44%

would participate in OST programs if opportunities were available

Now
24
OST organizations
serve approximately
5029
youth in Kalamazoo
County
If
44%
of families want OST
opportunities for their children
in Kalamazoo County, OST
programs would need the
capacity to serve
18,040
youth

What matters most

Quality

Quality matters in the out-of-school time and we know how to build a quality OST organization and program. KYD Network is part of the David Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality’s network of communities that are implementing the Youth Program Quality Intervention (YPQI).

Social Emotional Learning

Youth, parents, out-of-school time professionals, and educators across the country acknowledge that youth are missing a critical piece of their “education.” We know that in addition to reading and writing, we need to teach resilience and responsibility, respect, and sound decision making.

Youth Leadership

In 2015, the Kalamazoo County Youth Cabinet was created by KYD Network and other local non-profits to provide youth, ages 14 to 20, with an opportunity to shape their community. The Cabinet is, “Building the community WE want, making the changes WE need” by identifying issues of importance to youth and developing solutions to address these challenges.

Inclusion & Equity

The OST sector in Kalamazoo recognizes that inclusion and equity serve as the foundation of our work and that we must have a common understanding of these concepts and how they apply to our work. As such, KYD Network convenes the Inclusion and Equity Affinity Group to facilitate this work.

Parent Engagement

The out-of-school time (OST) sector will authentically engage with parents and caregivers to develop their leadership skills to support their child’s social emotional development and school success.

Advocacy

KYD Network seeks to advocate for policies and sustainable funding streams that enhance and support high quality OST programming.