San Mateo
Youth Leadership Institute (yli) opened its doors in San Mateo in 1998, just as our collaboration with California Friday Night Live Partnership (CFNLP) — a statewide organization that addresses underage drinking — was taking off.
Since then, San Mateo youth have led major policy campaigns, such as Peninsula Advocates Investigating Debt-Traps (PAID), which worked to cap the number of predatory financial services in the region, and Nutrition Soldiers, which eliminated sugary drinks as the default beverage in fast-food kids’ meals.
In addition to youth programming, yli San Mateo leads and/or participates in a number of key coalitions, including the Coastside Collaborative and the Working Families Alliance. We also helped to launch and lead the Transportation Equity Allied Movement (TEAMC), which was the driver behind Measure W – a countywide tax measure to invest in equitable and environmentally sustainable transportation options – in 2018. We are frequently invited by the City and other partners to offer trainings and workshops on a variety of subjects.
Current Programs
Past Programs
Timeline of Wins in San Mateo
Youth journalists publish 20 pieces
Silicon Valley Community Foundation Journalism program launches first ever cohort of 10 youth, who publish a total of 20 works on yli’s blog. One of these is picked up by … Continued
yli launches San Mateo Youth Advocates Program
yli carries out a Civic Empowerment Training Series
In partnership with Daly City Youth Health Center, yli carries out a Civic Empowerment Training Series. Youth were able to speak directly to city council leaders, advocates and school board … Continued
KHMB Radio Interview yli Program Coordinators
KHMB Radio interviews Program Coordinators Rubi Salazar and Rod Spikes to uplift their Friday Night Live chapter’s campaign on alcohol prevention.
Youth lead new mental health app pilot project
Help@Hand pilots new mental health app across San Mateo County based on youth recommendations.
FNL Coastside Youth Council completes social norms campaign
Young people in Friday Night Live’s Coastside Youth Council (FNLCYC) tackle the issue of underage drinking by promoting a positive narrative around not using alcohol before age 21.
yli San Mateo launches its first youth journalism program
Five high school to transitional age youth across Silicon Valley are chosen to participate in the first cohort of San Mateo County yli’s youth journalism program
yli joins Half Moon Bay City’s Public Safety Focus Groups on Coastside Mental Health
Half Moon Bay launches pilot Community Responders Program
The Half Moon Bay City Council launches a pilot Community Responder crisis-intervention program to improve the city’s response to mental illness, substance abuse, and homelessness.
yli joins Half Moon Bay City’s Public Safety Focus Groups on Coastside Mental Health
New website with COVID-19 resources launched
The Coastside Collaborative COVID-19 Relief Coalition launches a new website with resources for individuals and businesses to obtain and provide support and relief.
yli hosts a response meeting to the closing of Bay City Flowers
yli, Half Moon Bay City and ALAS hosted an emergency Coastside Collaborative meeting in response to Bay City Flowers Closing
yli Program Coordinator interviewed by KHMB Radio
KHMB Radio interviews Program Coordinator, Rubi Salazar, about her work in Half Moon Bay
yli Program Coordinator speaks up about the Immigrant Experience
During the Lights for Liberty vigil – a nationwide event to protest inhumane conditions faced by refugees, asylum seekers and other immigrants – Program Coordinator Rubi Salazar shares their experience … Continued
San Mateo yli Showcase
yli’s San Mateo office hosts and end-of-year event showcasing youth work in 2019.
Measure W Passes, Raising $80 Million a Year for Transportation
After weeks of counting votes for an unprecedented midterm election turnout, it appears that San Mateo’s transportation tax, Measure W, has passed by a razor-thin margin. The measure will generate … Continued
Pacifica Caps Payday Lending in City Limits
San Mateo youth successfully led campaign to end predatory payday lending practices in Pacifica.
San Mateo City Council Pass Smoke-Free Ordinance in Multi-Unit Housing
Daly City and South San Francisco Councils Pass Resolution Supporting Strong Payday Loan Regulations
City of Brisbane Amends Smoking Ordinance
Burlingame City Council Pass Smoke-Free Ordinance in Multi-Unit Housing
Parkway Heights Middle School Improves Packaging and Meals
Daly City Council Pass Smoke-Free Ordinance in Multi-Unit Housing
San Mateo County Passes Smoke-Free Ordinance in Multi-Unit Housing
Daly City Limits Payday Lenders in City Limits
South San Francisco Passes Anti-Payday Lending Ordinance
Daly City Passes Social Host Ordinance
Redwood City Passes TRACE Ordinance
Pacifica Passes Social Host Ordinance
Menlo Park Adopts Social Host Ordinance to Reduce Alcohol Access
Menlo Park Adopts Tobacco Retail License
Redwood City Passes Smoke-Free Parks Ordinance
Resolution for Smoke-Free Special Events and Activities in Foster City Parks Passes
Belmont Adopts Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing Ordinance
Pacifica Passes Strongest Tobacco Sales Standards in County
College of San Mateo Smoke-Free
Pacific Coast Farmer’s Market Association Adopts Smoke-Free Policy
Skyline College Adopts Smoke-Free Policy
Redwood Council Adopts Smoke-Free Hollywood Resolution
Daly City Council Adopts Smoke-Free Hollywood Resolution
Pacifica City Council Adopts Smoke-Free Hollywood Resolution
Belmont City Council Adopts Smoke-Free Hollywood Resolution
San Mateo Resolution to Enforce Tobacco Access Laws
San Mateo County Tobacco Retailer Permit Ordinance
YO MATEO! sought a policy solution to address youth access to tobacco in the retail environment.