About TAYWD

ABOUT
Thank a Youth Worker Day is an international celebration of Youth Workers who make a difference in the lives of young people. Recognizing the hard work of Youth and Child Care Workers contributes to increased productivity, effective work, organizational loyalty, retention, recognition of youth-serving organizations, and, perhaps most importantly, to positive growth in the lives of children and youth and our communities.

WHO IS A YOUTH WORKER?
An individual (staff or volunteer) who works with or on behalf of children and/or youth to facilitate their personal, social, and educational development and enable them to gain a voice, influence, and place in society as they make the transition from dependence to independence (Definition from the National Collaboration for Youth).

HISTORY
In 2009, a group of youth work professionals in Indiana started Thank a Youth Worker Day as a way to help Youth Workers feel good about their profession and to raise awareness of the impact of the field on the lives of children and youth.

Inspired by CYC-Net’s  effort to recognize the field of Child and Youth Care Work during the first week of May, ACYCP adopted the practice and took over sponsorship of Thank A Youth Worker Day in 2015.