Overview
As we celebrate 20 years of impact, we invite you to join us for Better Together: Lighting the Path Forward, the Every Hour Counts National Conference.
In a time of change, our collective efforts are more important than ever. This year’s conference is all about the power of unity—how youth development leaders from across communities and the nation can work together to create a brighter future for young people. Together, we light the path forward.
At the Every Hour Counts National Conference, you will:
- Unite for Greater Impact. Gain insight into the power of collaborative systems work to strengthen afterschool and summer programs, ensuring young people have the opportunities they deserve.
- Advance Equity-Centered Leadership. Engage in meaningful discussions that elevate strategies to create equitable opportunities for all children, particularly those historically underserved.
- Amplify Youth Voice & Partnerships. Explore practical lessons on centering youth voices and cultivating partnerships that drive real change in communities.
- Shape the Future Through Policy & Advocacy. Learn about efforts to build and sustain strong systems that support young people through effective policy and advocacy.
- Connect & Innovate. Build relationships with system builders and changemakers driving innovation and impact in the expanded learning field
If you are interested in being part of a unique community to design creative cross-sector solutions, the Every Hour Counts Conference is the place for you.
We encourage you to bring your community teams—because the future of our work is built together. Individuals are also invited and will find like-minded colleagues who want to share and strategize.
Let’s share ideas, spark innovation, and create lasting impact.
Registration
Early Bird Rate (through March 21)
Individual
$795
Group of 3+
$750 per person
Regular Rate (March 22-April 18)
Individual
$850
Group of 3+
$795 per person
Late (April 18-May 2)
Individual
$900
Group of 3+
$850 per person
In What Ways Are We Better Together?
In 2025, we’ll join in community to create new paths that are:
- more youth-centered and youth-led.
- more focused on racial equity.
- more data-driven.
- more attuned to the range of impacts for youth, families and communities.
- more welcoming of partners.
- more focused on program quality.
- more supportive of youth development professionals and in recognition of job quality needs.
- more bold, innovative and creative.
Join forward-thinking leaders—intermediary leaders, community providers, school district representatives, policymakers, funders, researchers, and youth to blaze a path forward. Every Hour Counts network members and youth development leaders will share successes, challenges, strategies, and resources to build stronger learning systems that holistically support children and youth.
Community teams are encouraged to register; Individuals are also invited and will find like-minded colleagues who want to share and strategize.
Schedule and Presenters
Every Hour Counts is presenting engaging, interactive workshops throughout the 3-day experience.
Together, we’ll explore the following content strands through 25 engaging sessions on:
- Continuous Improvement Strategies – strategies and systems for improving program quality, such as professional development and quality assessment, as well as collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and sharing youth, program, and system-level data to support continuous improvement efforts, increase access to youth from marginalized communities, and tell compelling stories of impact.
- Racial Equity and Social Justice – efforts to design equitable systems, center racial equity as an intermediary, increase opportunities to a living wage in the field, build strong family and community partnerships, and increase program access to BIPOC communities.
- Policy & Advocacy – Build momentum to drive impactful policy and advocacy efforts that prioritize equitable access and opportunities for all young people. Together amplify our collective voice to influence systems, help shape policy and create lasting change for the afterschool field.
- Building Intermediary Systems Fundamentals and Sustainability – Develop and strengthen intermediary systems and delve into the key components including forging strategic partnerships, professional development, fostering meaningful collaboration, governance, build the foundational elements of a system such as funding strategies, planning and organizational structures.
- Elevating Youth Voice – how do intermediaries and communities create meaningful opportunities for youth to share space and power to design programming, influence policy, practice change, and develop innovative systems. For youth voice sessions, please consider youth as presenters.
- Looking Ahead 2050 Innovations & Future Planning – envision the future of the afterschool and summer field to increase benefits for young people and explore innovations to funding, technologies influencing the sector and young people, research and movement building.
In these sessions, participants will discuss lessons learned and ways afterschool leaders can play a major role in shaping cities of learning now and in the future.
We’re also planning spirited activities and networking events to foster cross-city collaboration and community building.
To learn more about our past events, check out our summary and video highlights from Let’s Make Waves, our 2023 National Conference in Palm Beach County.
Agenda
May 14
2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Registration and Networking
2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Deep Dive on Policy and Advocacy
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception
May 15
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Registration & Breakfast
9:00 – 10:15 AM
Welcome Remarks and Opening Plenary
10:30 AM – 4:15 PM
Workshop Sessions and Lunch
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Cocktail Reception & Networking
May 16
8:00 – 8:30 AM
Breakfast
8:30 AM – 1:15 PM
Workshop Sessions
1:15 – 2:30 PM
Lunch and Closing Session
Registration
There are a limited number of tickets available, so we encourage you to register as soon as possible. Registration includes access to all event sessions, the deep dive session on policy, two evening receptions, all meals, and tools and resources shared in the workshop sessions.
With questions about the event, please email Susan Diaz.
Conference Location
and Hotel Accommodations
The conference will be held at the Marriott City Center, 30 S. 7th Street.
We have a room block at the hotel at a discounted group rate of $249 plus tax. We recommend you book your rooms as soon as possible as we expect the room block to sell out. Please use the booking link in your registration confirmation email to book accommodations. The deadline to use the booking link is April 23.
Please note: Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (PMSP) is the closest airport to the hotel.
Event Sponsor
This event is made possible with support from The Wallace Foundation.
Our host local partners are Youthprise and Sprockets.
Questions?
Questions? With questions about the event, please email Susan Diaz
About Us
Every Hour Counts is a coalition of local organizations that increases access to quality learning opportunities, particularly for underserved students. We are a leading voice promoting expanded-learning systems, which provide learning and enrichment through after-school, summer, and other initiatives. Expanded-learning systems help students be more connected to school, build self-confidence, and connect with caring adults, so every student can thrive.