This column explores the intersection between adolescent literacy policies and the field of youth development. The crisis framing of young people used in literacy policy documents has come to "occupy" the field of youth development in an all hands on deck approach to remediate young people who are considered "behind." At the same time, there are spaces where literacy and youth development are melding beautifully. The author explores both the potentials and pitfalls when literacy policy and youth development intersect by examining a literacy initiative supported by the Youth Development Institute in a community-based organization for young people involved in the juvenile justice system.