Marin Student Advocacy Councils
Youth Leadership Institute was founded and officially launched in Marin County in 1991. Since then, our office has undergone many changes and iterations. Today, it is staffed by women of color, some with roots in Marin, and all with a deep love and genuine care for the health and well-being of young people. Each staff member has a unique story that has brought them to this work to see, hear, care, and love the youth of Marin.
With the belief that impacted youth should be at the center of community change work as our starting point, yli is committed to serving all young people, especially Black, Indigenous, and other youth of color. Our school-based programs are heavily focused on substance use prevention, specifically through the Friday Night Live framework, an evidence-based approach that centers the physical and emotional safety of youth as fundamental to youth-led action. Staff lead a total of 7 programs across all secondary schools in Novato, CA. In addition, we lead two community-based programs: The Marin County Youth Commission (MCYC) and Marin Organizing for Racial Equity (MORE).
Check out our programs page to learn more about what we do!
Current Programs
Timeline of Wins in Marin
Marin County Youth Commissioner Selected for Jared Huffman Summer Internship Program
Marin youth successfully advocate for Ethnic Studies
The Marin County Youth Commission education committee submits a resolution to the Marin County Office of Education to support the implementation of Ethnic Studies in Marin schools.
Marin youth host 2nd annual mental health summit
Marin County Youth Commission host the second annual mental health summit, bringing together 50 youth via Zoom!
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.
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.
Youth update educational video on vaping
Youth updated the San Marin TUPE education video to help educate their peers about the effects of vaping.
Students implement wellness survey during COVID-19
Students create a wellness survey at Marin Oaks High School with the purpose of identifying mental and financial hardships caused by COVID-19.
Marin yli youth receive COVID-19 care packages
All yli youth receive a care package in May and December of 2020.
Venetia Valley students host virtual Pride event
Venetia Valley youth plan and lead a virtual PRIDE event. Students moderated a panel to learn more about the LGBTQ experience.
yli hosts the 33rd annual Peer Summit
yli hosts the 33rd annual Peer Summit for over 150 middle school students across the county.
Student advocacy council successfully advocates for a student lounge
yli staff partnered with youth and staff to design and create a student lounge for all students at Hamilton.
Youth host 1st annual Mental Health Summit
Marin County Youth Commission hosts their first mental health summit, bringing together over 100 community members to learn more about the state of youth mental health in Marin.
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.