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.
Fresno City Councilmember Tyler Maxwell attends Fresno Boys & Men of Color (BMOC) meeting to discuss with youth leaders the Zero Fare Policy, which would provide free bus rides to all residents.
Boys & Men of Color secured $50k pandemic fund from Obama Foundation to provide direct support to youth and launched paid youth internship program.
Boys & Men of Color helped pass Measure P in December 2020, which is projected to raise $40 million a year for the next 30 years to support parks and green spaces in Fresno.
All yli youth receive a care package in May and December of 2020.
Alongside yli staff, Madera Youth Commission co-hosted 2 virtual holiday celebrations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
PPE and informational booklets are delivered to over 1,000 people in our community.
MYNT youth attend Fresno City Youth Council Meeting to present on vaping.
Youth participate in a healing circle surrounding the struggles of digital learning and COVID-19.
The ECV offices sits on the Planning Committee of ECV Pride for the third year in a row.
After 8 years of partnership and educating Fresno City Council on the issue of density of alcohol retailers around youth spaces, the Fresno City Council passes the Responsible Neighborhood Market Act.
Madera Youth Commission begins a series of educational cooking classes to explore our cultural, historical and geographical relationships to food.
Madera Youth Commission places a land acknowledgement on their official meeting agendas.
The new Youth Coalition ensures that youth voice is included in the movement to create healthy social media environments.
MYNT works with other tobacco-control initiatives on how our efforts in the community can best lead to change.
The Half Moon Bay City Council launches a pilot Community Responder crisis-intervention program to improve the city’s response to mental illness, substance abuse, and homelessness.
Launched a Long Beach youth group during the 2020 Covid pandemic that worked on making the temporary flavored tobacco ban a permanent ban.
Youth and teachers came together to participate in a healing circle where they discussed issues surrounding school climate.
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.
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.
Betting On Our Future (BOOF) completes their storytelling campaign to raise awareness around problem gambling.
Venetia Valley youth plan and lead a virtual PRIDE event. Students moderated a panel to learn more about the LGBTQ experience.
Youth write to CVUSD school board members demanding that they prioritize young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Olivia Rodriguez publishes an article on Salton Sea communities, which needed relief long before coronavirus hit, in The Desert Sun.
The Coastside Collaborative COVID-19 Relief Coalition launches a new website with resources for individuals and businesses to obtain and provide support and relief.
