Young people – particularly youth of color and their allies – are deeply motivated to address inequities in their communities. At Youth Leadership Institute, young people realize their power by learning to use their voices to create meaningful change.
We work within coalitions and with elected officials to promote policy change that makes our communities more equitable and just for young people, especially young people of color. And it’s paying off with over 130 policy wins so far.
Change happens when conversations take place. At yli, we believe that conversations of real significance only occur when all voices are heard. And we’re here to ensure that youth voice is heard. Loud and clear.
VoiceWaves youth participant Yvie Jett (16) produces and publishes a video highlighting the local Youth Power Participatory Budgeting campaign, a process in which local youth are shaping summer youth program … Continued
A diverse cohort of VoiceWaves participants published a 16-page zine publication about climate change. The zine, part of the City of Long Beach’s ClimateLB Youth Climate Action Fund Microgrant Program, … Continued
Yvie Jett (16), a VoiceWaves youth participant, created her first video project—a recap of the 2024 Trans Pride Long Beach event—where she interviewed trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive community members about … Continued
In partnership with Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, 2 yli youth participants sat on a panel for a Youth Mental Health Town Hall. They discussed the mental health needs of youth in … Continued
Youth Leadership Institute co-hosts FUSD Candidates Forum with Faith in The Valley, Power California, CV UP, Californians for Justice, Woven Coalition Justice, and CMAC. Read more about the forum here!
yli Long Beach youth participant Gisselle Becerra Murillo (20) publishes a social media post raising awareness about mental health resources and destigmatizing seeking support. This post is the first of … Continued
For the third year, yli Long Beach youth rejoin the Invest In Youth Coalition in facilitating a participatory budgeting process where youth help shape summer programming through a multi-step approach. … Continued
VoiceWaves youth participant Vanessa Rodriguez (21) publishes an interview with a local food bank representative raising awareness about the issue of food insecurity, who it affects in Long Beach, and … Continued
Sunnyside and Roosevelt FNL Alumni speak at Fresno City Hall to uphold the Responsible Neighborhood Market Ordinance and educate on the harms of allowing liquor stores in close proximity to … Continued
Fresno youth came together to attend the September 12th Fresno City Council Meeting to advocate against the reissuing of a conditional use permit for alcohol sales. The group of staff … Continued
yli Long Beach is one of eight recipients awarded a $5,000 Youth Climate Action Fund micro-grant, empowering youth to lead climate action through community-based storytelling and printed zines.
yli co-sponsored the 2nd Annual Queer Housing Summit with South Tower Community Land Trust, Housing Now!, and Fresno EOC LGBTQ+ Resource Center at Fresno’s historic Tower Theater.
3rd Year Senior Fellows in yli’s statewide journalism program, Calafia, present their research on the impacts of generative AI on youth creatives to nonprofit leaders at TechSoup.
The new cohort of the Marin County Youth Commission was sworn in by Board of Supervisors President Dennis Rodoni.
3rd Year Senior Fellows in yli’s statewide journalism program, Calafia, publish The Creative Code, a 4-part podcast on the impacts of generative AI on youth creatives. Listen to their podcast … Continued
Capital & Main feature the work of 3rd Yeasr Senior Fellows in yli’s statewide journalism program, Calafia, on the impacts of generative AI on youth creatives in an article entitled, … Continued
The kNOw Youth Media publishes their 2024 Betting On Our Future video PSA.
Marin Organizing for Racial Equity created their first Art Zine that they showcased local BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth artist from Marin County. Check out the zine here!
yli San Mateo completes 20 community education presentations on topics such as Vaping, Alcohol & Drug Prevention, Mental Health, and Wellness to 975+ youth and over 10 schools/CBOs throughout San … Continued
The kNOw Youth Media published their Summer 2024 publication – The Little Things That Matter. View the publication here.
The LGBTQ+ subcommittee of the Marin County Youth Commission hosted the Queer Prom this year in collaboration with Marin 9 to 25. The event provided LGBTQIA+ youth a space to … Continued
yli ECV and youth attend the Restorative Justice Practices Convening in La Quinta, CA alongside other youth and partners from the Community Justice Campaign. Youth had the opportunity to participate … Continued
As part of Alianza’s Community Justice Campaign, ¡Que Madre! Media staff and youth presented Health Equity Report findings and recommendations to the Coachella Valley Unified School District LCAP Hearing and … Continued
View their video here!
View their video here!
Check out some photos here!
Orange Cove High School Youth Podcast published their final episode. Their 5 part series, which youth did as their Spring Campaign, can be listened to on YouTube here.
We’Ced Youth Media published their 12th publication – Overlooking Pink. This publication is a calendar that addresses the many struggles that we face under patriarchy. From external forces belittling our … Continued
