Welcome to 2025: A Year of Action, Advocacy, and Ambition

The new year has arrived, and with it, significant challenges that demand our attention. In just the last two weeks, several elements of Project 2025 have started taking shape—undermining job protections for certain federal employees to enforcing the Hyde Amendment, which blocks federal funding for abortion and related health care. 

These policies aren’t just shaping headlines—they are shaping the realities of daily life, particularly for young people. From assaults on labor rights and workplace protections to cuts in mental health services and reproductive rights, Project 2025 threatens the stability and future of an entire generation.

We’ve witnessed a notable shift in the 2024 electorate, with more young men aligning with the Republican Party than in 2020. Many were drawn in by the promises of economic prosperity, freedom, and a vision of government that seemed to align with their priorities. Yet the very policies being pushed forward are doing the exact opposite: weakening the very protections they rely on to secure a stable future.

For young men navigating an already complex and often unforgiving system, the implications of this agenda are especially personal, with potential impacts on economic security, mental health, and family planning.

This agenda isn’t just political—it’s a direct challenge to young men building their futures. When one aspect fails—wages, mental health, or family stability—the rest feel the pressure.

Our Vision for 2025 and Beyond

As we face these mounting challenges, they also present bigger opportunities for change. At the Alliance for Youth Action, we not only acknowledge the struggles ahead—we embrace the chance to empower young people to shape the world around them. We know young people are not just the future—they are the present.

In the next few years, we are focused on building a robust local organizing infrastructure that prioritizes base-building, civic engagement, and electoral work. Local governments are often the first line of defense, especially as threats to federal protections and institutions mount. This shift in focus will strengthen our ability to safeguard vulnerable populations, empower young leaders, and protect the integrity of our communities.

While the federal landscape is shifting, and protests and federal advocacy remain important, we are committed to a different approach—one that centers local power, local elections, and local solutions. Investing in these efforts ensures that our communities will continue to thrive, even in the face of uncertainty.

The reality is simple: when young people organize locally, we are not just defending the present—we are creating a future that is more just, sustainable, and transformative. The work we do now will set the stage for a resilient democracy, one where young people lead the charge toward a better tomorrow.

Together, we can turn these challenges into opportunities. Stay engaged, stay hopeful, and let’s make 2025 a year of bold, collective action

Selasi Tagbor Morales

Communications Coordinator

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