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…
The Creative Code
3rd Year Senior Fellows in yli’s statewide journalism program, Calafia, publish The Creative Code, a 4-part podcast on the impacts of generative AI on youth creatives. Listen to their podcast … Continued
Calafia Talk AI
Capital & Main feature the work of 3rd Yeasr Senior Fellows in yli’s statewide journalism program, Calafia, on the impacts of generative AI on youth creatives in an article entitled, … Continued
Coachella Unincorporated Summer Data Walk
Coachella Unincorporated Summer Data Walk – After weeks of research and data analysis, ECV young people were invited to participate in an indoor ‘data walk’ to review the Youth Participatory … Continued
BOOF PSA 2024
The kNOw Youth Media publishes their 2024 Betting On Our Future video PSA.
MORE Art Zine
Marin Organizing for Racial Equity created their first Art Zine that they showcased local BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth artist from Marin County. Check out the zine here!
Community Education
yli San Mateo completes 20 community education presentations on topics such as Vaping, Alcohol & Drug Prevention, Mental Health, and Wellness to 975+ youth and over 10 schools/CBOs throughout San … Continued
The Little Things That Matter
The kNOw Youth Media published their Summer 2024 publication – The Little Things That Matter. View the publication here.
2024 Queer Prom
The LGBTQ+ subcommittee of the Marin County Youth Commission hosted the Queer Prom this year in collaboration with Marin 9 to 25. The event provided LGBTQIA+ youth a space to … Continued
Restorative Justice Practices Convening
yli ECV and youth attend the Restorative Justice Practices Convening in La Quinta, CA alongside other youth and partners from the Community Justice Campaign. Youth had the opportunity to participate … Continued
Health Equity Report Presented to CVUSD
As part of Alianza’s Community Justice Campaign, ¡Que Madre! Media staff and youth presented Health Equity Report findings and recommendations to the Coachella Valley Unified School District LCAP Hearing and … Continued
FNL/H@H youth complete their public service announcements.
View their video here!
FNLCYC youth complete their positive social norms campaign.
View their video here!
FNL youth host a Hallmark Celebration to showcase their FNL month activities.
Check out some photos here!
Orange Cove Student Podcast
Orange Cove High School Youth Podcast published their final episode. Their 5 part series, which youth did as their Spring Campaign, can be listened to on YouTube here.
Overlooking Pink
We’Ced Youth Media published their 12th publication – Overlooking Pink. This publication is a calendar that addresses the many struggles that we face under patriarchy. From external forces belittling our … Continued
Selma Student Podcast
Selma High School Youth Podcast published their final episode. Their 4 part series, which youth did as their Spring Campaign, can be listened to on YouTube here.
Moving Forward has published its first zine from the Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Correctional Complex. A group of incarcerated youth participating in the El Joven Noble curriculum, successfully completing 15 weeks of hard work and collecting their stories into a zine.
Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Zine
Moving Forward published it’s first zine from the Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Correctional Complex. The zine was a culmination of a group of incarcerated youth participating in the El Joven … Continued
COUN-SEL Decision-Maker Meeting
After a school year of primary and secondary research collection and analysis, youth leaders met with their school’s administrators and SF Youth Commission members to advocate for long term changes … Continued
Marin Oaks Mental Health Day
Marin Oaks High School Friday Night Live hosted a school wide Mental Health event with activity stations that promoted healthy coping activities.
In collaboration with Education & Leadership Foundation, youth, and adult allies across Fresno Unified, yli holds second annual Fresno Unified Latinx High School Celebración
Read more about it here!
yli participated in Fresno Rainbow Pride marching with youth participants and adult allies from yli, school partners, and parents
The 23-24 BLING Youth Grantmakers Cohort reviewed, interviewed, and selected 12 youth-led projects to fund, totaling $100,000 dollars in grant dollars disseminated to the youth in the San Francisco community.
Film Screening + Discussion: Estamos Aqui (We Are Here)
Coachella Unincorporated former youth/now staff Olivia Rodriguez Mendez participated in a panel following the screening of Estamos Aquí (We Are Here) alongside Silvia Paz of Alianza Coachella Valley, moderated by Margarita Castaneda … Continued
5th Annual Wellness Festival
The Mental Health Subcommittee of the Marin County Youth Commission hosted their 5th Annual Wellness Festival at Terra Linda High School. The festival included panels, workshops, and a art and … Continued
VOICE Program Celebration 2024
In the first year of the pilot program, 12 youth completed a 6 month leadership program that cultivated a relationship between youth and the Redwood City community. Youth Leaders walked … Continued
Mental Health Awareness Month with You Are Sacred & Moving Forward
You Are Sacred, our Suicide Prevention Program, tabled at multiple high schools and middle schools across Merced County for May Mental Health Awareness Month to share resources for coping skills, … Continued
May Mental Health Awareness Month
You Are Sacred, the Youth Suicide Prevention Program, tabled at multiple high school and middle schools across Merced County for May Mental Health Awareness Month. They shared resources on coping … Continued
Public Comment Workshop Series (May-June)
yli ECV hosted a series of public comment workshop series where they taught public speaking, civic engagement, and advocacy. This event was open to ECV youth to learn about different … Continued