The Fresno Prevention and Early Intervention Program is divided into four health equity issue areas: underage alcohol use, underage marijuana use, prescription drug abuse, and Youth Leadership development on alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD). Young people in these programs use the Friday Night Live (FNL) curriculum to create campaigns that address ATOD.
yli leads this work in Fresno County in partnership with several key organizations, including the Department of Behavioral Health, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, and California FNL Partnership.
Reducing Alcohol Access to Youth (RAAY)/Reducing Marijuana Access to Youth (RMAY)/Reducing Prescription Drug Access to Youth (RPDAY)
These programs build the capacity of FNL program youth to implement campaigns that help their peers steer clear of alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs. In partnership with their adult allies, youth utilize media, social norms messaging, and community education and information dissemination to address the root cause of underage alcohol use in their communities.
Friday Night Live (FNL)
FNL is a statewide program that uses positive youth leadership development to address and prevent underage alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. At yli, we take a social justice lens to the work, shifting the focus from individual behaviors to the larger patterns of injustice that target low-income youth of color and encourage unhealthy behaviors. By helping youth identify issues in their communities, conduct research, and implement media and policy campaigns, yli doesn’t simply deter young people from substance abuse. We help to shape powerful advocates who create lasting change in their communities.
Fresno FNL Sites
FNL (high school)
- Roosevelt High School x Women’s Alliance – Valeria Salazar
- Sunnyside High School – Valeria Salazar
- Edison High School x Latino Student Union – Michael Yamamura
- Bullard High School – TBD
- Kerman High School – Joseph Fuentes
- Justin Garza High School x Genders & Sexualities Alliances – Joseph Fuentes
- Central East High School – Michael Yamamura
- Justin Garza High School – Joseph Fuentes
- Orange Cove – Heidy Velasquez
- Reedley Middle College High School – Heidy Velasquez
- Selma High School – Heidy Velasquez
- Parlier High School – Genesis Medina
- San Joaquin Valley HS – Genesis Medina
- Pershing High School – Michael Yamamura
Club Live (middle school)
- Sequoia Middle School Leadership – Valeria Salazar
FNL Mentoring
FNL Mentoring provides opportunities for young people to be in ongoing, mutually beneficial, caring relationships, which strengthen a young person’s resiliency to the challenges they face in life. FNL Mentoring pairs high school and middle school youth together for a year long peer-to-peer partnership that works on developing leaders as well as increase engagement of both the mentor and protege.
Fresno FNL Mentoring Sites
- Fresno High School – Kelly Trujillo
- McLane High School – Kelly Trujillo
- Yosemite Middle School – Kelly Trujillo
Interested in Joining?
FNL programs are open to all youth at each site — please contact the site coordinator for more information about meeting times.
To Become a Mentor:
- At McLane High School, mentors are part of the Teacher Academy and have an option to sign up as part of their internship opportunities
- At Fresno High School, details for joining as a mentor are still being determined, check back soon!
To Become a Protégé:
- Protégés are middle school youth and must meet a certain criteria and complete an application. We collaborate with counselors and school staff to identify youth who would be a good fit for the program.
Youth-Led Campaign Wins
Our FNL youth leaders have led critical policy wins that protect youth and communities of color from predatory marketing.
In 2020, after an 8-year campaign, yli FNL youth claimed victory with the passing of The Responsible Neighborhood Market Act, which limits the number of liquor licenses that can be obtained by local markets. In parts of Fresno – which has gained notoriety as the “drunkest city in America” – there is one liquor store for every 500 residents, which is five times more than recommended by the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control.
In 2022, RAAY and RMAY youth came together to create a positive social norms campaign during graduation season. This campaign involved youth-led research that counteracted misperceptions of underage substance use and helped to normalize healthy activities.
Check out Sunnyside FNL Fresno’s New Resource Guide!