About
Program
Speakers
Attendees
Sponsors & Partners
FAQ
Contact
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imagine
imagine
imagine
tomorrow
tomorrow
tomorrow
Three days. One global gathering. A future we build together.
Three days. One global gathering. A future we build together.
Join youth leaders, families, and changemakers from around the world for three days of creativity, connection, and collective action rooted in history and powered by possibility.
Join youth leaders, families, and changemakers from around the world for three days of creativity, connection, and collective action rooted in history and powered by possibility.
Ready to Thrive?
Ready to Thrive?
Join the Interest List
Join the Interest List
Join the Interest List
What is THRIVEFest?
What is THRIVEFest?
It is a global, multigenerational festival where imagination becomes action
A joyful, purpose-filled three-day gathering where young leaders, families, and changemakers unite to share stories, spark ideas, and turn hope into impact.
A joyful, purpose-filled three-day gathering where young leaders, families, and changemakers unite to share stories, spark ideas, and turn hope into impact.
📍 Chicago, Illinois
📍 Chicago, Illinois
🏛️ Obama Presidential Center
🏛️ Obama Presidential Center
📅 June 23–25, 2026
📅 June 23–25, 2026
Agenda
Your 3-Day Experience
Your 3-Day Experience
Built around a bold vision and designed with changemakers—from youth leaders to global voices—THRIVEFest invites you to Choose Your Thrive in a vibrant ecosystem of story, imagination, play, evidence, culture, and youth power.
Built around a bold vision and designed with changemakers—from youth leaders to global voices—THRIVEFest invites you to Choose Your Thrive in a vibrant ecosystem of story, imagination, play, evidence, culture, and youth power.
Built around a bold vision and designed with changemakers—from youth leaders to global voices—THRIVEFest invites you to Choose Your Thrive in a vibrant ecosystem of story, imagination, play, evidence, culture, and youth power.
Day 1
Inspiration
Kick off with youth-led conversations and creative that spark fresh perspectives.
Learn more
Day 1
Inspiration
Kick off with youth-led conversations and creative that spark fresh perspectives.
Learn more
Day 1
Inspiration
Kick off with youth-led conversations and creative that spark fresh perspectives.
Learn more
Day 1
Inspiration
Kick off with youth-led conversations and creative that spark fresh perspectives.
Learn more
Day 2
Activation
Step into hands-on learning and community-driven experiences that move ideas into action.
Learn more
Day 2
Activation
Step into hands-on learning and community-driven experiences that move ideas into action.
Learn more
Day 2
Activation
Step into hands-on learning and community-driven experiences that move ideas into action.
Learn more
Day 2
Activation
Step into hands-on learning and community-driven experiences that move ideas into action.
Learn more
Day 3
Celebration
Honor progress with performances, reflections, and a community-powered festival.
Learn more
Day 3
Celebration
Honor progress with performances, reflections, and a community-powered festival.
Learn more
Day 3
Celebration
Honor progress with performances, reflections, and a community-powered festival.
Learn more
Day 3
Celebration
Honor progress with performances, reflections, and a community-powered festival.
Learn more
Why THRIVE….?
Why THRIVE….?
THRIVEFest is not built like the traditional conferences you’ve sat through.
At THRIVEFest, you Choose Your Thrive and actively shape your experience across youth-led learning, creativity, and community. Imagination fuels action, and every voice contributes to what gets built. The room is intentionally curated so each conversation matters, every connection counts, and bold solutions can move forward together.
At THRIVEFest, you Choose Your Thrive and actively shape your experience across youth-led learning, creativity, and community. Imagination fuels action, and every voice contributes to what gets built. The room is intentionally curated so each conversation matters, every connection counts, and bold solutions can move forward together.
See the 2026 Experience
See the 2026 Experience
See the 2026 Experience
See the 2026 Experience
Youth-led, intergenerational sessions
that share power and elevate diverse perspectives
Role-reversal panels
that shift who leads, teaches, and inspires
Hands-on labs and activations
turning ideas into prototypes, plans, and commitments
Immersive storytelling and creative spaces
honoring culture, history, and lived experience
Intentional moments
of joy, connection, and collective celebration grounded in WKKF’s commitment to equity and youth agency
FAQs
Is this like a regular conference or festival?
Nope! Every Child Thrives isn’t about long days of sitting still, panels that talk at you, or closed-off spaces. It’s active, creative, and built by the community — full of movement, dialogue, hands-on labs, storytelling, art, music, and real connection.
Who will attend?
You’ll find young people with bold ideas, caregivers and families who show up for their communities, educators, organizers, creatives, researchers, practitioners, and anyone committed to helping children and youth thrive.
Is it multigenerational?
Absolutely. Every Child Thrives brings generations together to learn from one another — youth leading conversations, adults collaborating, and elders grounding us with wisdom and lived experience.
What role do young people play at Every Child Thrives?
Youth are not just attendees. They are co-creators, facilitators, storytellers, and leaders throughout the experience. From THRIVEChats to labs and mainstage moments, youth voice and agency shape the agenda, the conversations, and the outcomes.
How does in-person attendance work?
To ensure a balanced, youth-centered experience, we invite participants to share their interest in attending Every Child Thrives. A limited number of in-person seats (500 total) will be offered, with virtual participation available for broader access.
How much does it cost to attend?
There is no cost to attend for selected, registered participants. Every Child Thrives is designed to be equitable and accessible because building a future where every child can thrive means removing barriers to participation and ensuring this space is open to those doing the work, not just those who can afford it.
How does the interest and selection process work?
Those interested in attending will complete a brief interest form sharing their connection to children, youth, and community wellbeing. Submissions are reviewed collectively to bring together a diverse, intergenerational group grounded in youth impact, equity, collaboration, lived experience, and alignment with Every Child Thrives priorities. Selected participants will receive an invitation to confirm in-person attendance.
Is this like a regular conference or festival?
Nope! Every Child Thrives isn’t about long days of sitting still, panels that talk at you, or closed-off spaces. It’s active, creative, and built by the community — full of movement, dialogue, hands-on labs, storytelling, art, music, and real connection.
Who will attend?
You’ll find young people with bold ideas, caregivers and families who show up for their communities, educators, organizers, creatives, researchers, practitioners, and anyone committed to helping children and youth thrive.
Is it multigenerational?
Absolutely. Every Child Thrives brings generations together to learn from one another — youth leading conversations, adults collaborating, and elders grounding us with wisdom and lived experience.
What role do young people play at Every Child Thrives?
Youth are not just attendees. They are co-creators, facilitators, storytellers, and leaders throughout the experience. From THRIVEChats to labs and mainstage moments, youth voice and agency shape the agenda, the conversations, and the outcomes.
How does in-person attendance work?
To ensure a balanced, youth-centered experience, we invite participants to share their interest in attending Every Child Thrives. A limited number of in-person seats (500 total) will be offered, with virtual participation available for broader access.
How much does it cost to attend?
There is no cost to attend for selected, registered participants. Every Child Thrives is designed to be equitable and accessible because building a future where every child can thrive means removing barriers to participation and ensuring this space is open to those doing the work, not just those who can afford it.
How does the interest and selection process work?
Those interested in attending will complete a brief interest form sharing their connection to children, youth, and community wellbeing. Submissions are reviewed collectively to bring together a diverse, intergenerational group grounded in youth impact, equity, collaboration, lived experience, and alignment with Every Child Thrives priorities. Selected participants will receive an invitation to confirm in-person attendance.
FAQs
Is this like a regular conference or festival?
Nope! Every Child Thrives isn’t about long days of sitting still, panels that talk at you, or closed-off spaces. It’s active, creative, and built by the community — full of movement, dialogue, hands-on labs, storytelling, art, music, and real connection.
Who will attend?
You’ll find young people with bold ideas, caregivers and families who show up for their communities, educators, organizers, creatives, researchers, practitioners, and anyone committed to helping children and youth thrive.
Is it multigenerational?
Absolutely. Every Child Thrives brings generations together to learn from one another — youth leading conversations, adults collaborating, and elders grounding us with wisdom and lived experience.
What role do young people play at Every Child Thrives?
Youth are not just attendees. They are co-creators, facilitators, storytellers, and leaders throughout the experience. From THRIVEChats to labs and mainstage moments, youth voice and agency shape the agenda, the conversations, and the outcomes.
How does in-person attendance work?
To ensure a balanced, youth-centered experience, we invite participants to share their interest in attending Every Child Thrives. A limited number of in-person seats (500 total) will be offered, with virtual participation available for broader access.
How much does it cost to attend?
There is no cost to attend for selected, registered participants. Every Child Thrives is designed to be equitable and accessible because building a future where every child can thrive means removing barriers to participation and ensuring this space is open to those doing the work, not just those who can afford it.
How does the interest and selection process work?
Those interested in attending will complete a brief interest form sharing their connection to children, youth, and community wellbeing. Submissions are reviewed collectively to bring together a diverse, intergenerational group grounded in youth impact, equity, collaboration, lived experience, and alignment with Every Child Thrives priorities. Selected participants will receive an invitation to confirm in-person attendance.
FAQs
Is this like a regular conference or festival?
Nope! Every Child Thrives isn’t about long days of sitting still, panels that talk at you, or closed-off spaces. It’s active, creative, and built by the community — full of movement, dialogue, hands-on labs, storytelling, art, music, and real connection.
Who will attend?
You’ll find young people with bold ideas, caregivers and families who show up for their communities, educators, organizers, creatives, researchers, practitioners, and anyone committed to helping children and youth thrive.
Is it multigenerational?
Absolutely. Every Child Thrives brings generations together to learn from one another — youth leading conversations, adults collaborating, and elders grounding us with wisdom and lived experience.
What role do young people play at Every Child Thrives?
Youth are not just attendees. They are co-creators, facilitators, storytellers, and leaders throughout the experience. From THRIVEChats to labs and mainstage moments, youth voice and agency shape the agenda, the conversations, and the outcomes.
How does in-person attendance work?
To ensure a balanced, youth-centered experience, we invite participants to share their interest in attending Every Child Thrives. A limited number of in-person seats (500 total) will be offered, with virtual participation available for broader access.
How much does it cost to attend?
There is no cost to attend for selected, registered participants. Every Child Thrives is designed to be equitable and accessible because building a future where every child can thrive means removing barriers to participation and ensuring this space is open to those doing the work, not just those who can afford it.
How does the interest and selection process work?
Those interested in attending will complete a brief interest form sharing their connection to children, youth, and community wellbeing. Submissions are reviewed collectively to bring together a diverse, intergenerational group grounded in youth impact, equity, collaboration, lived experience, and alignment with Every Child Thrives priorities. Selected participants will receive an invitation to confirm in-person attendance.
Ready to Thrive?
Join the Interest List
About
Program
Speakers
Attendees
Sponsors & Partners
FAQ
Contact
© 2026 Kompa, All rights reserved
Ready to Thrive?
Join the Interest List
About
Program
Speakers
Attendees
Sponsors & Partners
FAQ
Contact
© 2026 Kompa, All rights reserved
Ready to Thrive?
Join the Interest List
About
Program
Speakers
Attendees
Sponsors & Partners
FAQ
Contact
© 2026 Kompa, All rights reserved
Ready to Thrive?
Join the Interest List
About
Program
Speakers
Attendees
Sponsors & Partners
FAQ
Contact
© 2026 Kompa, All rights reserved