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
Celebrating 1 Year of our Suicide Prevention Campaign, Never A Bother
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
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!