“yli makes me think of bonding and learning with folks from different cities and states, and becoming educated about some of our most pressing issues across the world. yli is truly an organization for youth and young adults.”
Brideisha Harness-Parker, Alumni
Brideisha Harness-Parker, Alumni
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.
Filter…
Sunnyside and Roosevelt Friday Night Live, and Betting on our Future host Fresno Teen Summit
Sunnyside Friday Night Live, Roosevelt Friday Night Live, and Betting on our Future (BOOF) hosted the Fresno Teen Summit with 71 youth participants. The event featured a local community leader … Continued
English Learner Storytelling and Global Student League successfully advocate for the first ever Latinx High School Graduation
English Learner Storytelling youth and Global Student League from Fresno Unified School District go in front of the FUSD School Board to advocate for the first ever Latinx High School … Continued
Daly City Bay Leaders conduct a survey on the sexual assault culture on their school campus
Westmoor High School students stage a walk out to bring attention to sexual assault culture on campus
Marin County Youth Commission partners with the Marin County Elections Department to train youth commissioners on how to host voter registration drives
Marin County Youth Commission partners with Marin County Parks to create a survey for youth that will help identify the barriers of accessing parks
ECV Youth Complete Infrastructure Assessment
Salton Sea podcast wins 3rd place from Society of Environmental Journalists
The Society of Environmental Journalists awards Senior Program Coordinator Olivia and youth leaders Rosa and Adriana THIRD PLACE for their Salton Sea podcast. The Society is well established, and gives … Continued
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
Youth launch new club in Madera High Schools
Youth Collective members launch a club that focuses on youth-led change at Madera South High School and Madera High School.
English Learner Storytelling publishes ‘zine about their experiences in Fresno Unified School District
Madera youth raise awareness around the COVID-19 vaccine
The Youth Collective created several media projects to increase awareness and access to resources to advocate for COVID-19 vaccinations in the Madera community. These include: Podcast Collective members Beto, Jaylee, … Continued
5th Year of Supporting ECV Pride Planning
Four Long Beach youth win yli’s Youth Fund grant
The winning project was to design and implement their own program advocating for educational equity through direct resources and a multi-media campaign.
BLING grants $85,000 to 9 youth-led projects in SF
Four Kerman youth organize and facilitate workshops on Merchant Education and Social Media at the Statewide Friday Night Live Youth Summit
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
Novato Youth Advocacy Council successfully advocates for a new district wide student dress code
Youth publish Health Resources in Long Beach zine
Twenty-five youth in the Miller Foundation Public Health Project distribute 450 copies of the zine throughout the City of Long Beach. Click here to read it!
We’Ced Youth Media releases Not So Happy Memories, a ‘zine highlighting mental health and toxicity
Madera youth advocate mental health excused absences
With the goal of destigmatizing mental health in Madera Unified School District, Student Voices United conducted research and advocated to add mental health as an excused absence for students. This … Continued
Youth Advocacy Leadership League publishes ¡oye! Ntsia nov! Our Youth Experience, Volume 2
The kNOw Youth Media’s annual publication “Shift” is published
Video PSA launched
WPX3 launched their most recent PSA showcasing data they collected from the past academic school year.
Wellness Centers officially opened across all 4 high schools within Conejo Valley USD
Kerman Friday Night Live/Club Live youth present their prevention and community engagement efforts before the City of Kerman Parks & Rec Commission
YAPC town hall offers self-care resources to youth and community
Marin County Youth Commission hosts 3rd Annual Mental Health Festival
Youth and adult allies are invited to come together to learn about ways to support positive mental health.