YAN December Newsletter
Meet the YAN Steering Committee!
The Youth Action Network Steering Committee is wrapping up the year and looking forward to 2022! In the new year, our incredible team of youth leaders will be starting their Youth Participatory Research Projects with UCSC, preparing for our first network meeting, and working on some other projects! 

We are excited to work alongside this fantastic group and can't wait to share their work in the new year! 
YAN Steering Committee Members are from across the county from the San Lorenzo Valley to Watsonville and attend Middle School, High School, and College! Some members are also involved with other Youth Leadership Groups, such as Aptos Community Youth Program, Friday Night Live, Jovenes SANOS, Empower Youth Watsonville and Salud y Cariño! 
City of Santa Cruz: Children & Youth Bill of Rights
We are happy to announce that the first Children and Youth Bill of Rights was unanimously approved on Tuesday's Santa Cruz City Council Meeting!!! 

The Children and Youth Bill of Rights is a significant first step for the City of Santa Cruz to prioritize youth well-being and create more opportunities for youth to participate in local decision-making. 

The Children & Youth Bill of Rights is directly related to the Youth Action Network’s goals of: 
  • Youth-Adults Partnerships: Increase youth supported by caring adults and relationships with local decision-makers.
  • Youth Voice: Increase meaningful participation & opportunities for youth to share their voices, ideas & leadership for youth within Santa Cruz County.
  • Youth Leadership Development: Increase knowledge of youth leadership development and capacity for creating change in the community.

The city plans to partner with the Youth Action Network and other Youth Leadership Groups to operationalize the bill with youth voices at the center. We also look forward to the impact and influence this might have on other jurisdictions in the county.
Though the YAN Steering Committee and other youth could not attend due to finals week and scheduling, we were able to share their support and why this is important on their behalf. Please see the slide and Malia’s speech below: 
Malìa’s Speech (Youth Action Network Co-Chair): 

YOUTH voice and YOUTH leadership is important to me because I believe that YOUTH should have a say so with what is happening in the communities and we YOUTH should also have a say so with what solutions that are going to be used to resolve the problem. I also believe that it’s time for YOUTH’S voices to be more heard and to be put in action as well. YOUTH leadership is important to me because it gives us a chance to lead something where the adults are following along and helping us along the way and a chance for us to show what we believe in and to make a difference in the world.

Both YOUTH voice and YOUTH leadership to me is to get more YOUTH to come out and speak their minds and speak their opinions, without feeling like somebody out there is going to shut them down. When YOUTH work together we use each other as our anchor, we support and stabilize each other to fight for social justice, racial equality, we use each other to fight for what’s right for all people. All I can say is, I believe if all of us YOUTH and ADULTS work together we can make wonders happen in this world. But we can’t make the wanders happen on our own but we can do it together hand-in-hand.
Friday Night Live Youth-Adult Partnership Training
Friday Night Live Partnership held a successful Youth Adult Partnership training for adult allies within the Community Prevention Partnership and the Youth Action Network this Monday! Huge shout out to Issa and the FNL team for creating this training!

During the Training Adult Allies were able to:
  • Learn the components of a successful Youth-Adult Partnership
  • Practice Successful Youth-Adult Partnership Strategies
  • Complete a pre and post-assessment of a Youth-Adult Partnership Check-list

Interested in learning more about what it takes to create strong youth-adult partnerships? Check out the following resources:
YAN Youth & Adult Ally Survey
New Deadline 1.28.22
We have decided to extend the Youth Action Network (YAN) Youth & Adult Ally Survey into the new year. We acknowledge that this is a very busy time of year for youth & adults and wanted to give more time for folks to complete the survey.

The new deadline will be Friday, January 28th, 2022. In the new year, will announce the raffle prize winners and also be announcing some new and fun challenges for youth groups and partners that complete the survey. Stay tuned for 2022!
Youth Survey:
Adult Ally Survey: 
Scholarship Opportunity
Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County's Scholarships for Students, available to Santa Cruz County students. The deadline to submit an application for the 2022-23 academic year is February 4, 2022.
Youth Leadership Opportunities
Join Jóvenes SANOS!
Are you interested in joining Jóvenes SANOS? 

Jóvenes Sanos is a youth advocacy and leadership program based in Watsonville, California. We strive to empower, educate, and promote a culture of health and wellness among the community. If you are committed to growing a thriving community based on equity and justice, join us today! 

“Developing the youth leaders of tomorrow,
by creating a healthier community today”

Register for more information: https://forms.gle/vJd8WnnVHiwiTgJ39
Friday Night Live Youth Council
Do you want your voice to be heard? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you.

Join FNL Youth Council to play an important role in impacting the health of our community through policy advocacy!

Virtual Meetings Wednesdays and Thursday from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Paid internships are also available.

Scan the QR code to sign up or contact Catherine @ (831) 247-6620
Digital Nest Spring Community Engagement Opportunities!
NESTcorps is a community-based research program where youth will learn research skills while also learning about a specific social issue that is prevalent within our community. The spring session will be the 2nd phase where we take the research we conducted in the Fall, and create a plan of action to address the importance of having a culturally competent curriculum in schools, such as Ethnic Studies. At the end of the session, we will present the research and plan of action to leaders in the community, which will prepare us for the implementation stage during the Summer. We meet on Mondays and Wednesdays 4-6pm in person at the Watsonville Digital NEST, starting 1/31/22 to 4/13/22. 

E-Unit is an events program where members plan and host an event that ties the NEST to the wider community. Past projects include organizing movie nights, art nights, open mics, and escape rooms. This spring our focus will be MUSIC, what will our next event be? It’s up to you! We meet on Tuesdays from 4-6 pm in person at the Watsonville Digital NEST, starting 2/1/22 to 4/12/22.
Youth Advisory Board Opportunity
Transitional Age Youth is looking for youth between the ages of 15-25 to join a Youth Advisory Board to fight homelessness in Santa Cruz County!

Interested in joining?
  • Meetings are Thursdays from 4:00-5:30 pm
  • Monthly Stipends are provided
For more information email: [email protected]
Teen Kitchen Project Volunteer Opportunity
Do you want to have a positive impact in your community? Become a Teen Volunteer at Teen Kitchen Project and prepare meals to be delivered to your neighbors experiencing critical or chronic illness. Give back to your community and learn skills from their kitchen to share with your loved ones!

Follow this link to learn more information on how to become a Teen Chef: click here
Salud Para La Gente: Teen Advisory Board
Join Salud Para La Gente's Teen Advisory Board!

You will have the opportunity to:
  • Receive Community Service Hours
  • Gain Leadership Skills
  • Contribute to improving your community
  • Help Salud improve their Teen Services
  • Learn about community events
  • Learn about your healthcare options

Interested in joining? Contact:
Tania Guzman
831-728-8250 ext. 2922
Community Events & Resources
United 4 Youth Live Oak: Homework Club
The United 4 Youth Live Oak homework club is off and running with sessions held every Monday evening. Activities are distributed amongst all of the Live Oak program partners (Live Oak Community Resources, Monarch Services, Walnut Avenue Family & Women Center, and Yoga for All Movement) alternating days to ensure an array of resources are available to the participating Live Oak community.

When: Monday's from 4:00-6:00pm

Questions?
Contact: Meridith Cook
Phone: 831-476-7284 ext. 104
United 4 Youth: Homework Club Winter Resource Fair!
Join the U4Y Homework club food, fun activities, and community resources!

When: Saturday, January 29, 2022
Time: 12:00-3:00pm
Where: Anna Jean Cummings Park
461 Old San Jose Rd, Soquel, CAH
Santa Cruz County Schools
Student & Family Behavioral Health Supports 

SIBHI (Schools Integrated Behavioral Health Initiative) and the Santa Cruz County Office of Education created a robust list of student and family behavioral health resources. Please follow this link to for Student & Family Behavioral Health Resources
Want to learn more about who is a part of the
network and how to join: click here

We continue to connect with partners who are committed to amplifying youth voices. If you are interested in getting involved or joining as a YAN General Member, please reach out to us!


Youth Action Network
Coordinator

Amanda Gamban


Website: www.sccyan.org

4450 Capitola Rd, Ste 106
Capitola, CA 95010

PHONE | [831.479.5466]
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