Vibrant Opportunities for Involvement, Community, and Empowerment (VOICE) is a youth program that launched in October 2023, that equips the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary for effective civic engagement and leadership in the heart of Redwood City. This program is specifically tailored to empower and uplift young people, harnessing their potential to create more equitable and inclusive communities.
This year, we are partnering with Pal Center to build a collective space where youth leaders can develop a strong foundation to be community organizers and initiate positive change beyond high school. The program is running till April 2025 and will prepare youth leaders to sit on boards, commissions, and committees.
My experience with the VOICE program was really fun. I learned how to be a leader and I learned how to advocate for myself when I know that some situations are unfair, and with the VOICE program I learned that it’s okay to speak up and even as a teen, as a youth your voice does matters and overall, the program was such a fun experience and we made new friends we grew together.
On Monday, August 12, yli San Mateo’s VOICE program was celebrated at the 2024 Youth International Day Proclamation in Redwood City.
Interested in joining?
Applications are open!! In partnership with Redwood City and Pal Center, VOICE is a six-month leadership program that develops a strong foundation to be community organizers and initiate positive change beyond high school.
The deadline to apply is October 14th and we accept youth 14-18 years of age who live or go to school in Redwood City/North Fair Oaks. This program offers public speaking/leadership training, stipends, and letters of recommendation.