Last month, girls and their adult allies from across Monterey County gathered for a 3-day intensive training with the Youth Leadership Institute to enhance their leadership skills. They are participants in Girls Health in Girls Hands, a girl-led movement that empowers girls to have a voice in their own healthcare. The training came at an … Continued
“…it was the unwavering focus and commitment to actions in our present that I found most compelling, and have been unable to shake.” A reflection by YLI CEO, Jon Marker, on the Equal Justice Initiative Museum & Memorial Opening in Montgomery, Alabama. This past month, I found myself in Montgomery, Alabama at a celebration hosted … Continued
“I realized that there are people like me who want to improve our society. I gained more confidence to work on my project since I know I’m not alone.” — Youth Commissioner Last month, the San Mateo and Marin County Youth Commissions hosted the second annual Youth Commission Convening, bringing together youth commissions from across … Continued
An interview with Andrea Gil, youth leader in San Francisco’s Community Action Model I am Bits and Pieces, Blended My family is complex. I don’t have one identity. I have bits and pieces of different identities. Both of my parents are from El Salvador – my mom is first generation, my dad was born there … Continued
When a critical new law is passed, we celebrate. There’s that flood of relief, that flush of jubilation, punctuated by cheers, tears, and hugs all around. Those of us who have spent months, years, decades fighting for change – taking surveys, holding community meetings, meeting with decision-makers, staging rallies, collecting signatures and endorsement letters, and … Continued
“There is no way to get out if there is nothing to do. That was my personal connection, the increasing gang violence, and what it has done to my community….Youth want to work, and they need work.” –Jaylin White, Fresno Youth Commission Youth unemployment means something different depending on where you are. In affluent communities, … Continued
Lola Amador is a senior at Independent Study School in Marin and serves on the Marin County Youth Commission. The tragic events at Parkland ignited her organizing efforts on gun control, and she has participated in a series of actions to elevate the issue and ensure meaningful legislation is passed. On March 14th, she took … Continued
“The conversations about housing are critical at this time because we are really at the risk of losing the fabric of our communities.” –Fahad Qurashi, YLI Senior Director of Programs Dialogue about the housing crisis in the San Francisco Bay Area is ongoing. Research has been conducted, articles have been published, protests … Continued
