DC Action names Director of Youth Advocacy
Good Insight is pleased to share that DC Action announced Jorge Membreño as the organization’s first Director of Youth Advocacy following an extensive national search. Membreño began his new role on September 5th.
Together with young people, parents, and community partners, DC Action advocates with one voice for public policies that support kids from early childhood to early adulthood.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jorge as our first Director of Youth Advocacy,” said Kimberly Perry, DC Action’s Executive Director. “Jorge brings a depth of knowledge and experience advancing policies and practices to improve young people’s lives that will help us create the transformational changes needed here in the District.”
The Director of Youth Advocacy is a new role that will lead a $1M youth advocacy portfolio focused on advocating for health, safety, and economic justice for young people most affected by poverty and racism. Membreño will direct a team of policy, mobilization, and communications professionals to advance transformational policies for the District’s young people.
“I have a great deal of admiration and respect for DC Action’s advocacy for youth,” said Membreño. “I look forward to spearheading our policy advocacy, building coalitions, and cultivating partnerships that create transformational change for Opportunity Youth in DC.”
About Jorge Membreño
Jorge Membreño, a licensed independent clinical social worker, has focused his career on the intersections of identity, marginalized communities, and supportive services. He provides a trauma-responsive and equity lens to his work both in his advocacy and his counseling practice.
Before joining DC Action, Membreño was a Special Advisor for Youth and Families with the Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH). He previously served in multiple Director-level roles at SMYAL (Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders) to build safe and stable shelters, case management services, mental health counseling, crisis intervention, and community support for LGBTQ youth.
Membreño earned his BA in Psychology from Christopher Newport University and a master’s degree in social work from Boston University. He is the proud son of Salvadoran immigrants and was born in Washington, DC, which he calls home.
About DC Action
DC Action is a nonprofit advocating on behalf of DC’s young people. Its mission is to use research, data, and a racial equity lens to break down barriers that stand in the way of all kids reaching their full potential. DC Action was formed in 2020 as a merger between two long-standing advocacy nonprofits, DC Action for Children and DC Alliance of Youth Advocates.
DC Action unites all those fighting on behalf of DC’s children and youth to realize a single, shared vision for what it looks like to grow up in the District. DC Action works to ensure that young people have access to the education, housing, health care, learning spaces, jobs, and other support they need and deserve. View DC Action’s Policy Priorities to learn more.