Dearest Alliance Supporters,

After four and a half years of learning, growing, and being as inspired as hell by the most incredible organizers in the country, today is my last day at the Alliance. As the Alliance enters a new stage of excellence under the direction of Dakota Hall, I’m taking time to reflect on all we’ve accomplished together.

The network has grown to include more youth-led and focused organizations from across the country. They’ve fueled increases in youth voter turnout, passed some of the most innovative legislation and ballot measures, and trained some of the dopest progressive organizers.
The Alliance has moved more money out the door than we could have dreamed - more than $20 million since 2017 and we plan to expand our efforts to resource the work for years to come.
We’ve increased our organization to a brilliant staff of 18, expanding the type of capacity building & technical assistance youth organizations need to thrive, including finance, operations, program, data, communications, and development so youth-led and focused groups can throw down for the long run.
We’ve brought more young people together to learn from each other, learn from experts, and build relationships that will last not only through the tough and joyous moments of organizing today, but also into the future as these young leaders fuel the larger progressive bench.
And alongside the brilliant partners and following the lead of a new generation of organizers, we shifted the narrative from doubt about young people organizing to awe over all they accomplished.

When I started, I was the first woman of color Executive Director in the history of the network. Today, we have 10 with two additional chingonas stepping in to lead LIT as Dakota moves to his new role. Over the last four years, we have become a network that truly is “of young people, by young people, for all people” and our leadership, staff, and members increasingly look like the communities we serve and organize alongside.

I am so, so proud.

As a country, we certainly are in a better position than when I started this role, but so much work remains. It’s too easy to be reminded of all we’re fighting against as our neighbors and loved ones fight just to survive, to just get by, when more than anything they deserve to thrive. But when I look around and see who is on our side, who is fighting for a future where people are treated with dignity and respect, I am full of hope. That is what the Alliance Network has gifted me time and again over the years - hope for the future, fought for and delivered by young organizers and activists from across this country.

Tomorrow, Dakota Hall steps in as the Alliance’s third Executive Director. And I can think of no better leader to hand over the organization. He will bring his experience founding and running network organization Leaders Igniting Transformation, one of the best youth organizing groups in the country. In the years I’ve known Dakota, he has been a trusted thought partner, inspiring organizer, and friend. I cannot wait for y’all to get to know him.

In addition, tomorrow, I turn into a monthly donor and the biggest Alliance cheerleader. Just as y’all have supported me in this role, I’m asking for you to celebrate and support him. We have a massive election year in front of us, where once again young people will be asked to go above and beyond to deliver for all of us. Let’s make sure Dakota knows early on how grateful we are for his leadership and that network organizations have the tools they need to throw down.

Please join me in donating to the best youth organization out there.

Thank you for all of your support over the years.

To the next generation,

Sarah