Help sustain the organization behind youth-led change

About this story

At California Youth Connection, young people who have experienced foster care are not simply participants in the organization. They help lead it.

CYC works with current and former foster youth ages 14–24, building leadership skills and creating opportunities for young people to advocate for changes in the systems that affect their lives.

That youth-led work happens at many levels. Members organize through local chapters, participate in leadership development and training, engage with policymakers, and help shape CYC’s statewide priorities.

Behind all of it is an organization that has to keep those pieces connected.

Staff support chapter activities and youth leaders. Operations and finance help maintain the organization. Communications, development, events, and program teams create the structure that allows young people across California to participate and lead.

This campaign supports that organizational foundation — the day-to-day capacity CYC needs to keep youth voices at the center of its work.

What this support covers

General operating support gives CYC flexibility to sustain the organization behind its youth-led programs and advocacy.

Funds can help support:

• Staff and organizational capacity
• Coordination with local chapters across California
• Administrative and operational needs
• Communication and outreach
• Youth engagement and leadership infrastructure
• Planning and coordination behind statewide activities and advocacy

Campaign goal: $2000

Why this support matters

Youth-led advocacy still needs a strong organization behind it.

CYC members lead chapter meetings, identify challenges facing foster youth, develop policy priorities, and engage directly with decision-makers. Staff and volunteer supporters provide the structure, resources, training, and coordination that allow young people to do that work while keeping youth in leadership roles.

Administrative support is what connects those efforts from one chapter, meeting, or advocacy initiative to the next.

Rather than funding one isolated activity, this campaign helps CYC maintain the organizational capacity needed for young people with lived experience to continue participating in decisions about the systems that affect them.