Young people – particularly youth of color and their allies – are deeply motivated to address inequities in their communities. At Youth Leadership Institute, young people realize their power by learning to use their voices to create meaningful change.
We work within coalitions and with elected officials to promote policy change that makes our communities more equitable and just for young people, especially young people of color. And it’s paying off with over 130 policy wins so far.
Change happens when conversations take place. At yli, we believe that conversations of real significance only occur when all voices are heard. And we’re here to ensure that youth voice is heard. Loud and clear.
yli youth leaders held a youth-led press conference in Long Beach that brought together students, families, youth-serving organizations, and local and state leaders to highlight the city’s first youth-led Opioid … Continued
VoiceWaves youth leaders set out to capture a pivotal moment as Representative Janice Hahn and the LA County Board of Supervisors prepared to vote to reinstate the Press 3 resource … Continued
VoiceWaves Youth Leaders showed up to represent yli at the Climate Resilient & Sustainable City Commission’s meeting. Here VoiceWaves leaders shared with commissioners and their community about their stop motion … Continued
The longer and closer proximity you are exposed to pollutants, the more at risk you are to developing a respiratory illness in your lifetime. Know the signs for potential respiratory … Continued
Seven Los Angeles County youth were selected to participate in yli’s three-year statewide K-12 Youth Mental Health Fellowship, representing Long Beach as part of a statewide campaign. Through this program, … Continued
REP 559 youth and their adult allies surveyed approximately 280 Fresno Unified students for their Mental Health Awareness Campaign. With this information they created outreach and educational materials that highlighted … Continued
This public service announcement was created by ECV youth Ashley Vega with support of Migdalia Sanchez. The PSA was inspired by the testimonies and knowledge of our community members, neighbors, … Continued
Funded by the City of Long Beach Office of Climate Action & Sustainability, the ClimateLB initiative engaged youth ages 14–24 in using yli’s YPAR model to examine environmental inequities in … Continued
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 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
yli ECV youth, Danna Garcia and Ashley Vega, along with program coordinator Cecilia Lemus, presented on the positive impacts from yli programs ¡Que Madre! and Coachella Unincorporated. This presentation also showcased their … Continued
Seven yli VoiceWaves youth leaders successfully completed Long Beach’s first city-funded, youth-led opioid awareness campaign. Over the year-long effort, they conducted peer-led focus groups, launched a social media campaign, produced … Continued
Introducing Take a Breath for the Future, a zine by Coachella Unincorporated. In 2017, California Assembly Bill No.617 recognized the Eastern Coachella Valley (ECV) as having some of the worst … Continued
yli ECV youth Danna Garcia and Ashley Vega presented on the ¡Que Madre! Mental Health Art Gallery and Coachella Unincorporated’s air quality campaign. This presentation shared why it is important to … Continued
Healthy Desert, Healthy You (Podcast) – Program Coordinator, Cecilia Lemus, talks about the importance of youth programs, third spaces and youth lead work on air quality. Have a listen here!
The Healthy Desert, Healthy You Summit – yli ECV youth Danna Garcia presented at the youth panel titled Building Tomorrow: Youth in Action Today and Careers in Environmental Health.
In late September / early October 2025, Hamilton Middle School started Club Live Hamilton, a weekly, one-hour lunch-time leadership and wellness program. This club is a creation of a student-centered … Continued
The new cohort of the Marin County Youth Commission was sworn in on August 27th, 2025. This year, the Commission switched from 23 at-large youth commissioners to 5 per district.
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
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 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
Concrete Rose is more than halfway through our goal of 30 completed interviews with young folks detained within the San Francisco Juvenile Hall. The Roses (program participants) have met with … Continued
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
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 successfully completed YU summer academy which trained youth on how to lead a campaign to pass measures in the City of Merced.
