MYNT youth attend Fresno City Youth Council Meeting to present on vaping
MYNT youth attend Fresno City Youth Council Meeting to present on vaping.
Our Impact
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 120 policy wins so far.
Change happens when conversations take place. At Youth Leadership Institute, 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.
Download our 2017-2018 Annual Report!
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The Responsible Neighborhood Market Act passes after 8-year campaign
The Responsible Neighborhood Market Act passes, limiting the number of liquor licenses that can be obtained by local markets.
¡Que Madre! publishes My Community, Mental Health & Me
We’re proud to present the Spring 2020 digital magazine from ¡Que Madre! Media. In this issue, you’ll find incredible youth art, narratives and a mental health resource guide.
BMoC secures $300k for wellness services and youth internships
Fresno Boys & Men of Color secures $300,000 in CARES funds to support community-based, holistic mental wellness services and paid internships for young people.
Youth publishes article on the Salton Sea in The Desert Sun
Olivia Rodriguez publishes an article on Salton Sea communities, which needed relief long before coronavirus hit, in The Desert Sun.
ECV youth participate in Grassroots Womxn Rising Committee
The Grassroots Womxn Rising convening hosted hundreds of resilient womxn of color – including yli youth! – involved with the California Endowment’s health equity campaign, “Building Healthy Communities” (BHC).
BMoC hosts Art Hop gallery
Fresno BMOC hosts Art Hop gallery featuring stories of their experiences (and struggles) with mental health.
Estamos Aquí wins ‘Best Documentary’ at the Official Latino Film & Arts Festival
A team of Coachella Uninc. reporters, led by Bryan Mendez and Olivia Rodriguez, produced a mini documentary that explores key issues related to the Salton Sea and that uplifts the stories of local ECV residents.
Estamos Aquí wins Youth Leadership in Air Quality Award
Estamos Aquí: A Community Documentary, receives the Youth Leadership in Air Quality Award from the South Coast AQMD Clean Air Awards.
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 district documents to include LGBTQ+ friendly language. The new documents will be shared with all staff and students in the coming school year.
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.
Fresno’s Responsible Neighborhood Market Ordinance Passes 6-0
On May 2nd, after 7 years of passionate advocacy, commitment, faith, and love, City Council passed in a unanimous vote the Responsible Neighborhood Market Ordinance, which will cap the number of liquor licenses in Fresno, especially in Black and Brown communities of central and south parts of the city.
First Madera Youth Commission Sworn In
On April 3rd, 5 young people were officially sworn-in to serve on the very first term of the newly established City-Wide Youth Commission. This is an historic moment in the history of the City of Madera, demonstrating City Hall’s commitment to including youth at the decision-making table.
ECV Youth Media Partners with KQED’s The California Report
Coachella Unincorporated and ¡Que Madre! Media programs partnered with KQED’s The California Report to create, edit and co-host a show uplifting stories from the Eastern Coachella valley related to mental health, community, education and youth power.
¡Que Madre! Media Launches Mental Health Publication
¡Que Madre! Media Hosts First Ever Mental Health Resource Fair
¡Que Madre! Media Supports Semana de La Mujer
¡Que Madre! Media co-hosts Semana de la Mujer at Desert Mirage Highschool in Thermal, CA. The week-long event featured resources and workshops for young women on campus.
Coachella Uninc. Presents at Rural Justice Summit
Coachella Uninc. youth filmmakers present Estamos Aquí: A Community Documentary at the California Institute for Rural Studies’ Rural Justice Summit in Merced, CA.
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.
Yammilette G. Rodriguez Receives the 2019 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award
On February 11th it was announced that Central Valley Senior Director of Programs Yammilette Rodriguez was awarded the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award. These awards, “recognize and support individuals who are advancing innovative and effective solutions to significant state issues” and provide a $250,000 investment in the work.
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.
YLI Eastern Coachella Opens New Office In Coachella
YLI Eastern Coachella Valley opens new office in Coachella, CA. This office houses both Coachella Unincorporated and ¡Que Madre! Media.
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 & Intersex Rights March Merced which was the first ever in Merced County. Girls and Womyn of Color were also awarded the prize because of … Continued
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 $80 million per year in sales tax revenue for the next 30 years to improve public transit, create safer bike and pedestrian routes, reduce traffic, … Continued
Coachella Uninc. Premieres Estamos Aquí: A Community Documentary
A team of Coachella Unincorporated youth filmmakers premiered Estamos Aquí: A Community Documentary in Coachella, CA.
GWoC intern, Guadalupe Reyes-Calderon Wins 2018 TCE Youth Award
Roosevelt chapter receives FNL Chapter of the Year award
Roosevelt Friday Night Live is awarded the Friday Night Live chapter of the year for their Positive Social Norms Peer and Parent Media Campaign.
Youth Leadership Institute Acquires YouthWire
YLI welcomed YouthWire, a cutting edge statewide youth media program, into the organization on October 1, 2018.
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 School District. The school board adopted the following changes: Youth will be represented on the School Board, either as appointed members or with voting rights … Continued