ABOUT US

OUR STORY

Over the past decade and especially in recent months, we’ve seen the rapid growth of youth organizing and activism across California and the nation. Youth Organize! California grew out of capacity building, site support, and networking efforts with established and emerging youth organizations across California, many affiliated with The California Endowment’s Building Healthy Communities Initiative. 

In November 2016, Movement Strategy Center and Californians for Justice convened a steering committee of twelve youth organizations to develop the vision, purpose, and initial goals for a statewide Youth Organizing Network. YO! Cali was publicly launched with 400 youth leaders and organizers at the Free Our Dreams Summit in September 2017.

OUR VISION

The vision of Youth Organize! California is for the young people directly impacted by marginalization and oppression to move into positions of leadership, decision-making, and power at organizational, community, and governmental levels.

We envision young people leading a “tidal wave” movement for social transformation and racial, gender, LGBTQ, economic, environmental, educational, immigrant, and health justice through organizing, campaigns, electoral power building, culture, and creativity.

We envision a world rooted in unity, equity, equality, freedom, and justice, built on mutual support, strength, leadership, and love.

Youth Organize! California is a fiscally-sponsored project of the Californians for Justice Education Fund, Inc.