CAlifornia youth power-building fellowship
THE CALIFORNIA YOUTH POWER-BUILDING FELLOWSHIP IS A STATEWIDE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM DEDICATED TO CAPACITATING, EMPOWERING, AND MENTORING YOUTH-LED SOCIAL IMPACT.
EACH YEAR, THE FELLOWSHIP RIGOROUSLY SELECTS A COHORT OF PASSIONATE, DRIVEN, JUSTICE-FOCUSED STUDENT ADVOCATES FROM ACROSS THE YEAR’S SPOTLIGHTED GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN AN IMMERSIVE POWERBUILDING EXPERIENCE CENTERING LONG-TERM SOCIAL CHANGE, WHEREBY STUDENTS ENGAGE FIRSTHAND WITH PUBLIC LEADERS, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, PROFESSIONALS, YOUTH-SERVING PARTNERS AND ALLIES, ANS SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENTS BOTH WITHIN THEIR LOCAL REGION AND ACROSS THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
MOST IMPORTANT: A $1,000 dedicated grant to fund the creation (or acceleration) of their own youth-led social justice project, either independently, or on behalf of a school club or local non-profit organization tailored to youth and/or student advocacy, equity, and liberation.
One-on-one project review/feedback, goal-building, values-assessment, and planning guidance/advisory from experienced yet diverse mentors.
Twice-a-month mentorship/community-connection sessions deep-diving into imperative skills and curriculum on project-building, nonprofit administration, long-term fund development, networking, community social justice, youth advocacy, organizing and coalition-building, and gauging and fulfilling long-lasting impact.
Every ~2 months: Attending exclusive, in-person engagements, events, and collaborative appearances in partnership with numerous California public officials, institutions, organizations, activist-scholars, changemaking professionals, and social entrepreneurs.
The thorough opportunity to develop and lead a changemaking initiative from start to finish, with provided resources, guidance, network connections, presentation occasions, funding assistance, and so much more.
An official, embossed certificate upon the successful graduation from the year-round California Youth Power-Building Fellowship Program.
Each Fellow receives…
Applications for the 2024-2025 Cohort are now closed. Applications for the 2025-2026 cohort open february 2025.
$20,000+
REINVESTED INTO POWERBUILDING GRANTS, MENTORSHIP RESOURCES, & YOUTH EDUCATION.
10+ youth of color
ONE-ON-ONE MENTORED IN YOUTH-LED SOCIAL CHANGE, YEAR-ROUND.
20+ mentors CA-wide
PUBLIC LEADERS, EXPERIENCED ADVOCATES, FOREMOST NON-PROFITS, AND PROFESSIONALS GUIDING OUR STUDENT FELLOWS.
WITH EACH YEAR’S PROGRAM…
Upon graduating from the Fellowship, youth change-makers will have successfully developed and delivered to their community an original, grassroots social justice initiative, focused on one or more of the following issue areas: Improving racial justice and racial/ethnic relations; Promoting cultural diversity, awareness, heritage, and empowerment; Improving gender equality and gender relations; Supporting socioeconomic development and/or equity; Benefiting under-served and marginalized youth and/or communities; Fostering and empowering youth leadership, service/volunteerism, or action; Improving community health and wellness, which can include mental/emotional health; Building safe, sustainable, and/or environmentally-vital communities; Expanding access to education and improving learning; Elevating youth voice and representation in local government.