Tokyo, Japan - February 20, 2026
For more than a decade, YouMeWe has supported children living in care homes across Japan by providing access to computers, digital tools, and technical education. Led by Michael Clemons, the organization’s work has focused on long-term relationships-standing alongside children as they grow, learn, and find their place in society.
In parallel, a different kind of educational movement has been taking shape in Nagareyama City.
Founded in 2022, Nagareyama LEAD is an education program designed to help children identify their strengths, think independently, and turn ideas into action. Through structured, multi-week programs, participants work in teams to develop original ideas and present them to government officials and business leaders.
Over the past four years, the impact has been clear.
Children who complete the program leave with greater confidence, stronger communication skills, and a deeper understanding of how to collaborate, think critically, and express their ideas. Many describe a fundamental shift in how they see themselves.
“Some children tell us, ‘I didn’t know I was smart before-but now I do,’”
says Sasha Lee Seals, founder of Nagareyama LEAD.
“That moment-when a child realizes their own ability to think and contribute-is what this program is about.”
Now, YouMeWe NPO and Nagareyama LEAD are joining forces to bring these strengths together.
Through this partnership, children in care-many of whom already have access to technology through YouMeWe-will also gain opportunities to build confidence, agency, and the practical skills needed to move ideas beyond imagination and into execution.
This initiative is not about creating entrepreneurs for the sake of business.
It is about helping children understand that their ideas have value-and that they can participate actively in shaping the world around them.
In Japan, more than 35,000 children live in children’s homes. While many receive material support, fewer have access to experiences that build self-belief, voice, and a sense of belonging in society.
“Access to tools is important,” says Michael Clemons.
“But children also need the confidence to use them, and the belief that their ideas matter.”
The joint program will officially launch on April 14, 2026, marking a new phase focused on capability, confidence, and contribution.
Because empowering children is not about telling them who they can become.
It is about giving them the tools, trust, and space to discover it for themselves.
YouMeWe NPO × Nagareyama LEAD 教育連携を開始
2026年2月20日｜東京
日本には現在、約35,000人の子どもたちが児童養護施設で生活しています。彼らは支援を必要とする存在であると同時に、社会の未来を担う、大きな可能性を秘めた存在でもあります。
YouMeWe NPOは、10年以上にわたり児童養護施設で暮らす子どもたちに対し、パソコンの提供やIT教育を通じて、学びの基盤づくりを行ってきました。
短期的な支援ではなく、子どもたちの成長に寄り添い続ける姿勢を大切にしています。
このたび YouMeWe NPOは、2022年に千葉県流山市でスタートした教育プログラム Nagayareyama LEAD と連携し、子どもたちの主体性や自信を育む新たな取り組みを開始します。
Nagayareyama LEAD はこれまで4年間にわたり、子どもたちが自分の強みを知り、アイデアを考え、仲間と協力しながら形にし
社会に向けて発信するというプロセスを重視した学びを提供してきました。
参加した子どもたちからは、
「自分の考えを言葉にできるようになった」
「自分にもできることがあると思えるようになった」
といった声が寄せられています。
今回の連携では、YouMeWe が築いてきた学習環境と、LEAD が培ってきた実践的な教育手法を組み合わせることで、児童養護施設で暮らす子どもたちにも、自分の考えを社会につなげる経験を届けていきます。
本プログラムは 2026年4月14日 に正式に開始予定です。子どもたちの可能性を、社会の力で育てていく。この連携は、そのための一歩です。
To Support: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/nagareyama-lead/
