Fund IRL Newsletter & Coalition Updates: First Meeting Date & Resources for Student Stories

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Subject: Fund IRL Newsletter & Coalition Updates: First Meeting Date & Resources for Student Stories

Save the Date: First Virtual VA Coalition Convening 10/27 at 2:00

Save the Date for October 17, 2026, at 2:00 pm for our first virtual Virginia Fund IRL Coalition Convening. During this meeting we will be joined by the Afterschool Alliance who will share models and strategies other states have used when directing use of funds for youth mental health and youth development. An invitation will be sent shortly to coalition members.

Youth Voice Resources & Amplifying Young People's Stories

Dear Virginia Fund IRL Coalition Members,

As we continue building momentum across Virginia, we want to ensure that young people remain at the center of our advocacy efforts. Their lived experiences, ideas, and perspectives are essential to demonstrating why investing in OST programs will strengthen youth and their communities.

This week, we're sharing a few resources to help coalition members elevate youth voice and spread awareness about the impact of OST programs across Virginia.

Photo & Media Releases

We want to make it easier for coalition members to share youth photos and stories in a thoughtful and responsible way.

Please feel free to use this template photo and media release form as a starting point when seeking permission to use photos, videos, or other media featuring the young people in your programs.

Before sharing youth stories, please ensure that appropriate permissions have been obtained. For minors, follow your organization's consent procedures and applicable requirements.

Whenever possible, involve young people in deciding what they want to share and how they want their stories represented. Our collective goal is to ensure young people are not just included in the conversation, but are helping shape it.

Help us Amplify Youth Voice!

We also encourage coalition members to continue sharing the stories of young people in their communities. Whether you're highlighting youth leadership, sharing a personal story, showcasing a program activity, or advocating for greater investment in OST, your communications help demonstrate the real-world impact of these programs.

A few ways to help share our collective message:

Tag @VPOST4VAKIDS in your youth voice communications. Whenever you share youth stories, please tag us so we can help highlight your message through our networks.
Use the customizable Fund IRL Canva template. This template allows you to showcase youth perspectives and experiences in their communities. Adapt it to your organization's branding and messaging, and use it to share why youth voice and OST investments matter.
Utilize the Fund IRL Communications Toolkit to share with your networks. Talk about this moment with your audiences. Share a post, write a newsletter, contact local media, or start a conversation with other parents and advocates. Don't forget to use the hashtag, #FundIRL

VPOST Youth Advocacy Guide - Help Youth Craft their Stories

Out-of-School Time (OST) Programs are a place for youth to discover their passions and connect with adults and peers alike. Who better to tell decision-makers the power of OST programs? Speaking truth to power can seem intimidating, but it doesn't have to be! Use the VPOST Youth Advocacy Guide to help your students craft their unique OST story.

VPOST Youth Advocacy Guide

Coalition Spotlight

We're proud of the growing coalition of organizations coming together to support this effort! If you haven't provided your organization's logo yet, please upload it to this folder or email Bridget so we can make sure you're represented.

While not every step happens publicly, please know that VPOST is working diligently behind the scenes to keep the ball rolling. We will continue building awareness, engaging key stakeholders, and advancing the conversation.

VPOST will send weekly correspondence to coalition members with updates, resources, and opportunities related to Fund IRL. We encourage you to share these updates with your networks to help us continue expanding awareness across Virginia's out-of-school time community.

Thank you for being part of this collective effort.

Support VPOST

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Subject: Fund IRL Newsletter & Coalition Updates: First Meeting Date & Resources for Student Stories