Greater Richmond Youth Development Network
Answering a Community Need
RICHMOND YDN
The Richmond Youth Development Network (RichmondYDN), along with its certificate programs, the Advanced Certificate in Youth Development Management and the upcoming launch of the Advanced Certificate in Transformational Leadership for Youth Development, is grounded in four guiding principles. These principles shape how competencies and support systems are taught, practiced, and applied across all learning experiences.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
HEALING-CENTERED & TRAUMA-RESPONSIVE
We recognize that both young people and the adults who support them may carry the impacts of trauma. Effective youth development and health professionals and leaders go beyond creating safe spaces. They cultivate environments rooted in healing, belonging, dignity, and care.
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PEOPLE-FIRST
Relationships, trust, and community voice are at the center of MFYC decisions. Youth development professionals and leaders prioritize people over systems, understanding that sustainable outcomes are built through authentic human connection.
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RESTORATIVE & COLLABORATIVE
We move beyond punitive, top-down approaches by embracing shared responsibility and collective accountability. Youth development professionals and leaders co-create solutions, repair harm, and foster environments where every voice is valued.
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DYNAMIC & ADAPTIVE
Youth development and community-engaged practice are responsive and attuned to the diverse identities, needs, and contexts of young people and communities across Virginia. Equitable access is not a fixed outcome, but a continuous and reflective practice that grows and evolves alongside the communities we serve.
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Training Calendar
The Greater Richmond Youth Development Network (RichmondYDN) Training Calendar offers a well-rounded approach to strengthening the professional skills of youth-serving organizations, offices, and program staff. It responds to the growing need for high-quality workshops, training and development opportunities in the field of youth development. By bringing together experts, practitioners, and effective practices from across the region, the calendar fosters a strong sense of community through shared learning and collaboration. RichmondYDN is a program of the VCU Division Of Community Engagement
Our training calendar is open to all youth development professionals and offers sessions designed to foster meaningful connections with youth, enhance program and engagement management skills, and promote practices that support mental health, community well-being, and overall good health—for ourselves, our families, and the communities we serve across Virginia.
Our trainings are designed for:
- Supervisors, directors and coordinators of programs working with children and youth.
- Teachers, educators, school administrators, health specialists, youth program/service managers and contracted youth mentors looking to better understand quality youth programming.
- Anyone who wants to grow and develop their ability to work effectively with children, youth, young adults and families.
- Registration is, in most cases, open to the public with a focus on Richmond regional youth program staff, educators, youth program leadership and VCU students.
- Registration for training may require a fee. Follow directions for each training session for registration payment.
- Each registration is intended for use by one participant only. Register additional participants individually and pay any additional fees.
Directions and Parking
The Mary and Frances Youth Center is located on the academic campus of Virginia Commonwealth University and in downtown Richmond, VA. Our street address is 120 South Linden St. Richmond, Virginia 23284. Be sure to allow adequate time to find street parking or to walk from a designated parking garage. Most street parking requires payment, please plan accordingly. GRTC bus stops are located close by for public transportation.
Preparing
Plan to arrive 20 minutes early to allow sufficient time to find parking, meet the trainer and fellow participants, and clear your mind to prepare for learning.
Plan for the training to run its full, allotted time. Leaving class early means you will not have the opportunity to gain all of the learning outcomes intended for the course.
RichmondYDN reserves the right to cancel the training and, if possible, reschedule or provide a credit or refund. Cancellations due to weather are rare and The RichmondYDN will follow VCU guidelines with respect to weather-related training cancellations. You will find VCU’s current status on their homepage, www.vcu.edu. If the University is closed, the training will be canceled and efforts may be made to reschedule.
Cancellation may occur if a training on the calendar does not have at least five participants by the time registration closes (forty-eight hours before the training.
Cancellation notification and requests must be submitted by email. We ask registrants to email about changes at least forty-eight hours in advance.
- Refunds:Cancellation notification must be received one week or more prior to the training date in order to receive a refund.
- Credits: Credit can be issued when a registrant cannot attend a training for which they registered. Credit may be issued to participants to use for a future training (scheduled or yet unidentified).
RichmondYDN Regional Map
Community Conversations
These are informal opportunities for youth development professionals to get together with one another over the lunch hour. Feel free to bring your own lunch, as well as items to discuss with others or just come and enjoy the company. We also welcome suggestions for specific topics that would be appropriate for Community Conversations.
Questions/Suggests a Training Topic
The Greater Richmond Youth Development Network Training Calendar invites training proposals from those in the youth development field or who have expertise that would impact it. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Dr. Vaughn Garland at Garlandvw@vcu.edu
Contact us
Greater Richmond Youth Development Network (RichmondYDN), headquartered at the Mary and Frances Youth Center and under the auspices of the Virginia Commonwealth University Division of Community Engagement, is spearheaded by Dr. Vaughn Whitney Garland. RichmondYDN serves as the hub for regional networking and training initiatives. Starting in Summer 2024, RichmondYDN oversees the VCU Advanced Certificate in Youth Development Management. Contact garlandvw@vcu.edu for more information.