Marin
Youth Leadership Institute officially launched in Marin County in 1991. The goal was to do youth development differently – by believing that young people are a part of the solution and not the problem.
With this belief as our starting point, yli overhauled three existing programs in Marin. First, we expanded and transformed the Marin Friday Night Live program (FNL), an existing youth alcohol and drug prevention program, into a youth-led community level approach to prevention. Then, we reinvigorated the Marin County Youth Commission (MCYC), which is the advisory board to the County Board of Supervisors. Lastly, we developed the Youth Grants Board (YGB), the seed for our youth grant-making program that became the model for youth-led philanthropy across the country.
yli youth have led major policy wins over the decades, such as the Social Host Ordinance, which has been replicated across our offices. New programs have been established to address broader issues impacting youth, like the Racial Equity Project, LGBTQI+ trainings, and Student Advocacy Councils. And we are sharing what we have learned through the Marin Prevention Network, which consists of 10 organizations working to reduce underage drinking.
Current Programs
Timeline of Wins in Marin
Marin Youth Commission Hosts Virtual Youth Mental Health Summit
On May 1st, the Marin County Youth Commission held a virtual summit for 50 youths aged 14-20 from 22 different schools across Marin and 2 schools from the greater Bay Area.
Marin County Youth Commissioner Selected for Jared Huffman Summer Internship Program
Marin County Youth Commissioners Publish a Letter to the Editor
Youth Commissioners Colette Holcomb and Scarlett Goh share their experiences of designing, organizing and implementing the annual Peer Youth Summit in this letter to the editor, published in the Marin Independent Journal.
Youth Leader Loughlin Browne Wins Heart-of-Marin Volunteer of the Year Award
Loughlin Browne was recognized at the annual Heart of Marin award ceremony for her outstanding service in the community of Marin.
Novato Social Host Ordinance Amended
Marin County Social Host Ordinance Expansion Passes
Novato Bans Styrofoam Containers
Novato Unified Changes Policies to Make LGBTQQ Students More Safe
In 2011 YLI’s Marin County Youth Commission (MCYC) released a report titled “Safe and Healthy School Environments for All”. The report was based on the findings of a youth-led survey that studied personal and emotional safety for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth in Marin County public schools. Using this report, MCYC youth partnered … Continued
San Rafael Bans Styrofoam Containers
Board of Supervisors Pass Resolution to Recognize National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Novato School Board Limits Alcohol Promotion at Events
San Rafael School Board Limits Alcohol Promotion at Events
San Rafael School District Changes Policies to Make LGBTQQ Students More Safe
San Rafael Resolution Establishes Alcopop-Free Zone
Novato Resolution Establishes Alcopop-Free Zone
Novato Restricts Unhealthy Food Truck Access
YLI youth work for six years to get Mobile Truck Policy win.
Tamalpais Union High School District Limits Alcohol Sponsorship at School Events
County Bans Single-use Plastic Bags
County Bans Styrofoam Containers
San Rafael Adopts Alcohol Sponsorship and Service Guidelines for City Events
Novato Unified School District Revises Alcohol Policy
Novato Unified Adopts Healthy and Local Food Policy
County Restricts Access and Advertising ofAlcohol at Public Events
Fairfax Bans Styrofoam Containers
Larkspur Passes Social Host Ordinance
Tiburon Bans Styrofoam Containers
Mill Valley Bans Styrofoam Containers
County Youth Commission Seeks Greater Public Transportation Access
Sausalito Social Host Ordinance Amended
Mill Valley Social Host Ordinance Amended
Ross Social Host Ordinance Amended
Belvedere Passes Social Host Ordinance
Corte Madera Passes Social Host Ordinance
Novato and San Rafael School Districts Adopt Wellness Policy
Sausalito Bans Styrofoam Containers
San Rafael Social Host Ordinance Passes
Fairfax Social Host Ordinance Amended
San Anselmo Social Host Ordinance Amended
Tiburon Social Host Ordinance Amended
Marin County Youth Commission Passes Justice for Jena Six Resolution
Social Host Ordinance Amended
Ordinance Bans Alcohol Sponsorships of Municipal Events
Marin County Social Host Ordinance Passes
Youth Commission Presents School Nutrition Policy Recommendations
Miller Brewing Replaced as Title Sponsor of Marin County Fair
The Play Fair Coalition made history in the fair industry by changing the title sponsor of the Marin County Fair and replacing the 6-year sponsor, Miller Brewing.