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
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…
English Learner Storytelling youth hold first ever Fresno Unified Latinx High School Graduation
In collaboration with Global Student League, English Learner Storytelling youth hold first ever Fresno Unified Latinx High School Graduation.
Youth Advocacy Leadership League publishes 2021 YALL Zine – ¡oye! Ntsia nov!
Check out the ‘zine in English and Spanish HERE.
HOPE youth hold press conference on social media
After three years of building this work from a grassroots level, HOPE youth leaders and adult allies came together to deliver a powerful press conference in partnership with Assemblymember Buffy Wicks and California First Partner Jennifer Seibel Newsom.
Marin County Youth Commission Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD) Subcommittee hosts Narcan training
The youth trained 437 people, majority teens and young adults, on how to use Narcan and recognize an overdose, and distributed 200 Narcan kits.
Marin Oaks Friday Night Live chapter establishes the first ever school wellness center
The students’ goal was to create a multipurpose wellness space where students could feel safe and supported. This space is also a place where they can find resources, hygiene products, … Continued
Hamilton Middle School hosts Earth Day Event
Marin County Youth Commission Mental Health subcommittee hosts the Marin Wellness Festival
157 people registered for the event, including 85 youth and 72 adults. The Festival featured 8 amazing and interactive workshops, 13 community organizations at the Resource Fair, 50+ submissions to … Continued
Central East Friday Night Live youth organize community health & wellness rally, and resource fair
In collaboration with youth peers from Khair Intersnship, Central East Friday Night Live chapter organizes and facilitates a community health and wellness rally and lunchtime resource fair, attended by over … Continued
Community Action Model hosts a community event to showcase findings on tobacco
The event was held at Manny’s Cafe in San Francisco’s Mission District. It showcased youth leaders’ key data findings, PhotoVoice projects, and presentations from LGBT Minus Tobacco, Bay Area Community … Continued
Mind the Gap: Suppressed to Addressed
Youth journalists in Calafia – yli’s statewide journalism program, publish a zine and podcast entitled, Mind the Gap: Suppressed to Addressed.
Eastern Coachella Valley youth co-publish Childhood Asthma and the Salton Sea Zine in collaboration with UC Riverside School of Medicine Center for Health Disparities Research
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
Adamari Cota in The Desert Sun
The Desert Sun published My Flying Doctors experience helped affirm the need for healthcare, an article by Adamari Cota, a youth journalist in yli’s statewide journalism program Calafia.
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
yli youth launch CORAL (College, Outreach and Learning) with their Youth Fund grant
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.
yli Long Beach launches My Hood, My City
yli partners with the City of Long Beach Department Health & Human Services and Office of Youth Development to launch a new program, My Hood, My City. It was featured … Continued