Fresno
In 2003, the County of Fresno approached yli to establish a local office — yli’s first outside of the Bay Area. Since then, yli’s Fresno office has blossomed, supporting thousands of youth to build powerful social justice campaigns that address the unique needs of both urban and rural communities.
Current Programs
Past Programs
Timeline of Wins in Fresno
Fresno City Council Passes the Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing Ordinance
This Ordinance bans smoking in and around apartment buildings and other multi-unit housing, ensuring that youth and families are protected from second-hand smoke.
Youth speak at Assemblymember Arambula’s Mental Health Town Hall
Boys & Men of Color youth speak to a panel of experts on the experience and mental hardships of young people in school during the pandemic.
Youth Mental Health Town Hall with Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula
Assemblymember Arambula hosts a Town Hall focused on mental health and the toll it took on young people as they practiced distanced learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
One yli youth selected to sit on Friday Night Live’s California Youth Council
Friday Night Live (FNL) California Youth Council selects one Fresno County youth leader to represent Fresno County at the state level.
Youth leader speaks at San Joaquin River Conservancy Press Conference and Check Presentation
Fresno Boys & Men of Color youth leader Raymart Catacutan speaks about his experiences on the San Joaquin River.
BOOF launches storytelling campaign to raise awareness of problem gambling
Betting On Our Future (BOOF) completes their storytelling campaign to raise awareness around problem gambling.
Youth speak at San Joaquin River Conservancy AB 559 Press Conference
Fresno Boys & Men of Color (BMOC) youth leader Kieshaun White and Fresno BMOC Program Manager speak at a press conference in support of AB 559.
State of Latina Teens: Virtual Youth Town Hall
Fresno County Hispañas Youth Leadership Program (HYLP) leads a statewide virtual town hall exploring solutions to the pressing issues impacting California Latina youth.
The kNOw publishes “The New World”
Click here for links to English and Spanish versions!
Youth leader Hazel Ventura is published in multiple yli ‘zines
Hazel Ventura was published in The kNOw’s “New World” print publication, and then again in yli’s YALL publication “¡oye! ntsia nov! Our Youth Experience Vol. 1.”
FNL Advocacy Day – Meeting with Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula
Fresno County Friday Night Live (FNL) Members meet with Assemblymember Arambula to update his office on their underage alcohol prevention efforts.
Statewide Friday Night Live Meeting
Kerman Friday Night Live (FNL) participates in leading the April Statewide FNL meeting where they presented about their Kerman Cares! Office of Traffic Safety Merchant Education Campaign efforts and chapter highlights.
Virtual I and E Days
In partnership and solidarity for a tobacco-free California, MYNT joined advocates throughout the entire state of California to inform and educate stakeholders on our tobacco control initiatives.
My Brother’s Keeper launches internship for its Mental Wellness Campaign
A cohort of interns gather data on mental health resources (including non-clinical) available to young people in schools.
Youth meet with Assemblymember Arambula about mental health during COVID-19
yli youth, including MYNT Coalition Members, participate in a virtual conversation to address the emotional and mental wellness of young people amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The kNOw and Coachella Uninc. participate in publishing Behind Our Masks
Behind Our Masks, a statewide publication, centers on the issues affecting young adults in California.
Youth meet with Assemblymember Arambula on COVID-19
yli youth and staff meet with Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula to raise up their voices and experiences in mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Zero Fare Clean Air passes!
The Fresno City Council voted to approve the Zero Fare Clean Act (ZFCA) on a 5-2 vote on Thursday, February 18th, 2021.
Virtual Black History Month
In collaboration with youth and adult allies in the African-American community, yli hosted a virtual Black History Month series to uplift Black voices of change in tobacco control, literacy, and leadership.
City Councilmember meets with Fresno Boys & Men of Color to discuss the Zero Fair Policy
Fresno City Councilmember Tyler Maxwell attends Fresno Boys & Men of Color (BMOC) meeting to discuss with youth leaders the Zero Fare Policy, which would provide free bus rides to all residents.
BMOC secures $50k for COVID-19 mutual aid
Boys & Men of Color secured $50k pandemic fund from Obama Foundation to provide direct support to youth and launched paid youth internship program.
BMOC helps pass Measure P for Fresno Parks
Boys & Men of Color helped pass Measure P in December 2020, which is projected to raise $40 million a year for the next 30 years to support parks and green spaces in Fresno.
MYNT youth attend Fresno City Youth Council Meeting to present on vaping
MYNT youth attend Fresno City Youth Council Meeting to present on vaping.
San Joaquin Healing Circle
Youth participate in a healing circle surrounding the struggles of digital learning and COVID-19.
Fresno City Council passes the Responsible Neighborhood Market Act
After 8 years of partnership and educating Fresno City Council on the issue of density of alcohol retailers around youth spaces, the Fresno City Council passes the Responsible Neighborhood Market Act.
CX Regional Cross Collaboration
MYNT works with other tobacco-control initiatives on how our efforts in the community can best lead to change.
Tranquility Student and Teacher Healing Circle
Youth and teachers came together to participate in a healing circle where they discussed issues surrounding school climate.
BMoC secures $300k for wellness services and youth internships
Fresno Boys & Men of Color secures $300,000 in CARES funds to support community-based, holistic mental wellness services and paid internships for young people.
BOOF launches storytelling campaign to raise awareness of problem gambling
Betting On Our Future (BOOF) completes their storytelling campaign to raise awareness around problem gambling.
The kNOw and We’Ced participate in publishing Not So Golden
Not So Golden, a statewide youth media project, centers on the issues affecting young adults in California.
Madera Ranchos Presentation on Tobacco
MYNT collaborates with a program in Madera to present at Madera Ranchos Middle School.
BMoC hosts Art Hop gallery
Fresno BMOC hosts Art Hop gallery featuring stories of their experiences (and struggles) with mental health.
The kNOw publishes “Awakening”
Click here for links to English and Spanish versions!
Two yli youth selected to sit on Friday Night Live’s California Youth Council
Friday Night Live (FNL) California Youth Council selects two Fresno County FNL youth leaders to represent Fresno County at the state level.
Fresno’s Responsible Neighborhood Market Ordinance Passes 6-0
On May 2nd, after 7 years of passionate advocacy, commitment, faith, and love, City Council passed in a unanimous vote the Responsible Neighborhood Market Ordinance, which will cap the number of liquor licenses in Fresno, especially in Black and Brown communities of central and south parts of the city.
Yammilette G. Rodriguez Receives the 2019 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award
On February 11th it was announced that Central Valley Senior Director of Programs Yammilette  Rodriguez was awarded the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award. These awards, “recognize and support individuals who are advancing innovative and effective solutions to significant state issues” and provide a $250,000 investment in the work.
Fresno voters approve Measure P
52.17% voters vote in favor of Measure P, a community-led ballot initiative calling on the city to invest in local parks.
Roosevelt chapter receives FNL Chapter of the Year award
Roosevelt Friday Night Live is awarded the Friday Night Live chapter of the year for their Positive Social Norms Peer and Parent Media Campaign.
The kNOw publishes “Toxic Masculinity”
Click here for links to English and Spanish versions!
Selma Passes Policy for Smoke-Free Parks
Fresno County Adopts SB 190 that Reduces Juvenile Justice Fees
City Council Creates Youth Jobs Task Force
Smoke-Free Parks Kerman Passes
Two yli youth selected to sit on Friday Night Live’s California Youth Council
Friday Night Live (FNL) California Youth Council selects two Fresno County FNL youth leaders to represent Fresno County at the state level.
The kNOw publishes “Resistance”
Click here for links to English and Spanish versions!
Fresno Boys and Men of Color Speak Up For Safe Spaces, Fresno Unified Listens
Fresno Unified adopts Safe Spaces policy for undocumented students after YLI youth speak out at school board meeting.
The kNOw publishes “The View from Down Here”
Click here for links to English and Spanish versions!
Tobacco-Free Parks Adopted in Kerman
The kNOw publishes “Writing Our Reality
Click here for links to English and Spanish versions!
Fresno Civic Engagement Task Force Includes Two Youth Seats
Fresno Business Council Reserves Seat for Fresno Youth Commission
Fresno Amends Code to Reduce Alcohol Signage in Stores
Resolution to Reduce Alcohol Saturation
Fresno Forms Youth Commission
YLI youth, staff and community partners worked tirelessly to get Fresno City Council to create the city’s first-ever youth commission.
Fresno Unified Adopts Restorative Justice Pilot Program
In June 2012, YLI’s Fresno office started facilitating a collaborative effort of several youth development organizations working to increase student attendance and achievement, entitled Students United to Create a Climate of Engagement, Support and Safety (SUCCESS). The SUCCESS team utilizes the YLI youth development, youth action research and youth advocacy frameworks to improve local school … Continued