María Schindler

Aaron Smith, a 17-year-old highschooler from Atwater, brings her identity in front of the camera despite controversy surrounding gender norms in the Central Valley.

I eventually gained the confidence to express my character and feelings during a major campaign to reform Marin County’s youth criminal justice system…I was apprehensive about speaking up, but the issue was so important that I felt compelled to take the risk of becoming more visible. It was the first time I was presented with a situation in which I could see myself.

I remember feeling the thrill of being pioneers in community change work. At that time, folks were not really talking about youth leadership in a community context.

When I started working at yli’s Marin office, I was wholly unprepared to work in a predominantly white community…Looking back, I believe that it was a sign from the universe – a push for me to let go of my trauma as my identity and purpose and to redefine what my leadership looks like.

As a journalist, I help others to see their stories – not just as something that happens to them – but as something that has value. The interaction itself can be so therapeutic – people feel so seen when they have a chance to tell their stories to someone who wants to listen, who is curious and asks questions.

When I first started gaming as a kid, I just did it for fun, but as I got older it helped me in times of need. When I was stressed or when something was really bugging me I knew gaming was something I loved, and I knew it would cheer me up.