Youth as Change Agents: Public Policy

The Youth Advisory Council held a Youth Voice Event focused on the potential cuts to school budgets on April 30, 2008, at the State Capital.

The Youth hoped to influence adults who make policies that affect youth by telling and showing them why this is important to them.

In the early part of the day, the YAC Executive Members met with their local elected officials to discuss why this issue is important to youth. In the afternoon, more youth joined the Executives at the north steps and held a rally.

Youth Making a Difference: Philanthropy 2007-2008 / 2008-2009 Grant Program

The Youth Advisory Council managed a mini-grant program, the Peace, Love and Happiness Grants (PLH), that funds projects of other local youth programs.

The first grant in 2007-2008 was awarded to Soil Born Farms, an urban agriculture project located in Rancho Cordova. Soil Born Farms allows the community to participate in a system of food production and distribution that promotes healthy living nurtures the environment. For more information, please visit their web site at:  www.SoilBorn.org.

”Soil Born was able to launch its first ever youth program at the ranch in Rancho Cordova because of the REACH youth program. Funding from the Collaborative enabled the organization to compensate a staff person who led the youth programs.” – Education Director, Soil Born Farms

In 2008 PLH Grants were additionally awarded to the Adolpho Program of Volunteers of America, the Doulous Program at First Covenant Church and the Interact Club of Cordova High School.  These projects supported the community in such areas as literacy awareness, inclusiveness, hunger, poverty and human assistance.