Summer Social Justice Academy

Youth Mentoring Collaborative’s Summer Social Justice Academy is an intensive three-week paid hybrid summer experience for youth to explore how to respond to some of society’s most pressing issues impacting them, including mental health, access to high-quality education, contact with the criminal justice system, and economic opportunities.

YMC will select twenty-five (25) youth applicants to join the 2025 program.

2025 Program Details

Applicant Requirements
  • High-school aged students; rising 9th through rising 12th graders
  • Able to travel to Durham, North Carolina for the in-person program experiences
  • Part of a mentoring program (preferred)

Not sure if you're eligible to apply? Contact us at [email protected] with the subject line, "Summer Social Justice Academy Eligibility."

TIMELINE
  • In-person opening: Monday, July 7 & Tuesday, July 8

  • Virtual: Thursday, July 10; Monday, July 14; Tuesday, July 15; Thursday, July 17; Monday, July 21; Tuesday, July 22

  • Closing retreat & graduation: Thursday, July 24

PARTICIPANTS WILL
  • Receive a $250.00 stipend
  • Engage in peer learning and group projects
  • Learn about the rich history of youth civic engagement in NC
  • Meet social justice advocates from across the state
  • Complete a project throughout the program that showcases learning objectives; this project will be used to support nonprofit programs in the Triangle
  • Gain an in-depth understanding of the mentoring movement in the Carolinas and beyond
Applications for the 2025 Program are CLOSED.

Check out our monthly newsletter and social media pages to learn when the application opens.

Learn about the 2023 Cohort

Sixteen high school students from across North Carolina participated in the 2023 SSJA. Click the link to learn more about their journey!

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Advocate

Learn how you, as a young person, can advocate for change in your community.

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For Mentees

Are you a mentee looking for information about mentoring? We got you!

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