Merced
Opening in February 2018, the Merced office was the first yli expansion in 14 years. Program staff and freshly minted youth leaders in the Girls & Women of Color (GWoC) and Rise & Lift programs dove right in with their #MErcedToo campaign, addressing sexual misconduct in the Merced Unified High School District.
By summer, the office was already growing as yli merged with youth media organization, YouthWire. As part of this merge, Merced’s yli office took in the We’Ced program, which had been operating in Merced since 2011, training young people in storytelling skills and amplifying their voices on issues that matter to them and their communities.
Merced yli’s mission is to elevate the voices of the youth and provide them with the resources they need to thrive. Our programs are safe spaces rooted in decolonization where we are actively working to dismantle racial and class inequalities, in ourselves and in our communities. We strive to empower the youth to be aware of community struggles and uplift them so they may create a positive impact within our community.
Current Programs
Past Programs
Timeline of Wins in Merced
Moving Forward Art Show
The Moving Forward Community Cohort hosted an art show at the Healing Generation Center. This event was fully planned and curated by the youth in the program, and was open … Continued
Youth United in the great outdoors
Youth United went on a hike with Mariposa Trails. Through this hike, youth were able to build community as well as learn about the importance of having outdoor spaces to … Continued
Youth Voices Alliance
Youth Voices Alliance graduates from their capacity and skill building curriculum with Valley Onward. Youth learned how to develop their race-equity lens and other valuable skills like effective public speaking, … Continued
Moving Forward Zine (Tenaya)
As a part of the Moving Forward program, South Merced’s Tenaya Middle School students created a zine after completing the Joven Noble curriculum. This curriculum was created by the National … Continued
Concrete Rose Launches
Concrete Rose successfully launched in August 2025, marking the start of a transformative Juvenile Justice program in Merced County. It is dedicated to assisting young people in custody between the … Continued
Youth Voices Alliance & YPAR
Youth Voices Alliance successfully completes their first Youth Participatory Action Research project researching barriers to young people utilizing mental health resources in Merced County. The cohort created three main recommendations … Continued
Cactus Flower Renewed!
yli’s Cactus Flower program was renewed for a second time by Merced County Probation and is set to begin in July 2025. This cohort will run for a year (July … Continued
Youth United Summer Academy
Youth United successfully completed YU summer academy which trained youth on how to lead a campaign to pass measures in the City of Merced.
Parks Win!
Youth United receives news from Christopher Jensen, the director of Parks and Recreation, that park improvements were made to Flanagan park as a result of our “Decay or Merced Parks” … Continued
Youth Voices Alliance Survey
Youth Voices Alliance (YVA), the Healing Generation Center’s youth advisory board, completes the data collection phase of their first Youth Participatory Action Research project focused on identifying barriers to young … Continued
You Are Sacred Ends
You Are Sacred, yli’s Youth Suicide Prevention Program ends after two years of programming. Youth from the cohort led an expansive Youth Participatory Action Research project that led to the … Continued
Youth United receives news that the City of Merced approves park funding to Stephen Leonard park for $380,000!
Youth United
Youth United present a statement and video to Merced City Council demonstrating the decay of specific parks such as Flanagan, Merino, and Joe Herb park.
“Sit Down with Merced” Podcast
You Are Sacred, yli’s Youth Suicide Prevention Program, released a podcast interviewing youth in Merced County about what barriers they face when it comes to accessing youth mental health services … Continued
Merdead Times
We’Ced Youth Media published Merdead Times, a coloring book detailing the youth’s perspectives and experiences living in Merced. Each page was hand drawn by the youth telling their stories. Readers … Continued
Moving Forward Cohort #1 Complete!
Moving Forward completed their very first cohort cycle at the Pathways to Success Center in March 2025! Youth from the program created a zine about their experiences with content from … Continued
Moving Forward – Valley Continuation School
The Moving Forward cohort published a zine developed by Valley Continuation School youth who completed the Joven Noble program, a boys or co-ed youth development curriculum developed by the national … Continued
Moving Forward – Tenya Middle School
The Moving Forward cohort published a zine developed by Tenya Middle School students in South Merced who completed the Girasol program, an all girls youth development curriculum developed by the … Continued
The Decay of Merced Parks
Youth United releases an article titled “The Decay of Merced Parks” presented at city council and published here on We’Ced Youth Media website.
Moving Forward & Cactus Flower Art Show highlighting artwork from youth who are in juvi and/or system impacted as well as holding a silent auction with items gifted by community members to raise funds for programs.
Grand opening of the Healing Generation Center
Grand opening of the Healing Generation Center. The HGC is a youth wellness hub dedicated to providing critical resources and services for the most vulnerable young people in Merced county. … Continued
Moving Forward and Youth United youth co facilitate a Merced City council forum with candidates running for three Merced city districts, asking questions on issues such as housing, transportation, and economic development.
yli Merced receives funding to develop and operate a Latinx Wellness Center.
Overlooking Pink
We’Ced Youth Media published their 12th publication – Overlooking Pink. This publication is a calendar that addresses the many struggles that we face under patriarchy. From external forces belittling our … Continued
Moving Forward has published its first zine from the Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Correctional Complex. A group of incarcerated youth participating in the El Joven Noble curriculum, successfully completing 15 weeks of hard work and collecting their stories into a zine.
Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Zine
Moving Forward published it’s first zine from the Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Correctional Complex. The zine was a culmination of a group of incarcerated youth participating in the El Joven … Continued
Mental Health Awareness Month with You Are Sacred & Moving Forward
You Are Sacred, our Suicide Prevention Program, tabled at multiple high schools and middle schools across Merced County for May Mental Health Awareness Month to share resources for coping skills, … Continued
May Mental Health Awareness Month
You Are Sacred, the Youth Suicide Prevention Program, tabled at multiple high school and middle schools across Merced County for May Mental Health Awareness Month. They shared resources on coping … Continued
We’Ced joins Yosemite National Park workers in a march for Palestine.
Equity On The Road
We’Ced attended Equity On The Road, an town hall event held at Matilda Torres High School by the Sierra Health Foundation that focused on issues of Immigration, Health, Housing, Education, … Continued
Celebrating 1 Year of our Suicide Prevention Campaign, Never A Bother
Vigil for Nex Benedict
We’Ced hosts a vigil for Nex Benedict, a young queer person who died in Oklahoma, to remember them and their fight to be accepted.
We’Ced joins local orgs to attend a city council meeting and demand a ceasefire in Gaza.
Merced Pride
We’Ced youth are invited to join the Pride Parade by the Merced Pride Center.
We’Ced creates a video of the youth-led mural that embraces the community
We’Ced Youth Media covers Merced’s County PrideFest 2023
We’Ced and Young Revolutionary Front host their 3rd Annual Skate Competition and Mural Reveal at McNamara Park
We’Ced publishes a promotional video of latest youth-led zine
We’Ced Youth Media published their 11th issue publication, Painting Silent Pictures
The ‘zine highlights the internal battles Merced youth face in a world where mental health among youth is at its worst due to lack of resources.
yli Merced launches new youth suicide prevention program called You Are Sacred
Follow us on Instagram at @you.are.sacred
Youth Wellness Center to open in Merced
In 2021, yli young people demanded that the City of Merced use ARPA funding to invest in their wellness by creating a Youth Wellness Center. For the most part, their demands … Continued
We’Ced Youth Media releases Not So Happy Memories, a ‘zine highlighting mental health and toxicity
We’Ced Youth Media’s The Power of Choice is distributed by the Merced County Times
Merced youth pass resolution to support BIPOC LGBTQ+ community
In Fall of 2021, Merced youth successfully advocated for the city to allocate funds to support a pride center, ensuring that youth voice and input was included in the development … Continued
Merced Youth Pass Policy to Protect Street Vendors
In August 2021, Merced youth successfully advocate for a policy to protect street vendors.
We’Ced and YRF Pass City Resolution to Secure Funding for BIPOC LGBTQ Center
On July 19, 2021, Merced’s We’Ced and Youth Revolutionary Front successfully advocated for a City resolution acknowledging violence against LGBTQ+ Black, Indigenous and people of color and for funding to open a center.
Merced Youth Hold COVID-19 Clinic
In July, Merced youth hosted a COVID-19 clinic, giving 40 south Merced residents got their shots.
Merced Youth Pass Resolution to Recognize June as Pride Month
In June of 2021, Merced youth participated in a campaign that resulted in a City resolution to officially recognize June as Pride Month, and to have the LGBTQ+ flag flown on Main Street.
Merced Youth Secure Youth Sports Vouchers
In June of 2019, Merced youth successfully campaigned for $5,000 – and another $8,500 in June 2021 – in youth sports vouchers to cover registration and equipment fees for low-income youth.
Merced Youth Succeed in Bringing Lighting to McNamara Skate Park
In June, Merced youth spoke with elected officials and successfully advocated to allocate dollars from general fund to pay for lighting.
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.
Merced Union High School Includes LGBTQ+ Friendly Language to Sexual Harassment Response Plan
On April 10th, in partnership with the LGBT Alliance, Girls & Womyn of Color (GWoC) pushed forward an addendum to Merced Union High School’s new Sexual Harassment Response Plan and … Continued
Merced Union High School Recognizes Tribal Attire in Graduation Ceremony
In partnership with 99Rootz, Girls & Womyn of Color successfully advocated for a change to Merced Union High School’s regulations for graduation attire to ensure indigenous students’ rights to wear cultural regalia and adornments.
Walking our Paths: We’Ced Releases its 7th Youth-Led Publication
In January 2019, the Merced Sun-Star delivered copies of Walking our Paths to communities across the county. This is We’Ced Youth Media’s 7th such publication, featuring the stories of young people, but with a very special twist. The entire publication was produced by the young people themselves.
Youth Win ‘Cultivators of Change’ Award
BHC Merced awarded two ‘Cultivators of Change’ awards to YLI young people. First, We’Ced Youth Media was recognized for their part in leading the Trans Day of Remembrance + Trans … Continued
GWoC intern, Guadalupe Reyes-Calderon Wins 2018 TCE Youth Award
Merced Youth Demand Changes to Sexual Harassment Policy at School
Girls and Womyn of Color youth and staff advocated and facilitated for the passing of several policies that will create safer conditions for students and staff at Merced Union High … Continued
yli Merced Office Opens
On Wednesday, February 28th, YLI expanded our offices for the first time in 14 years!