YAN November Newsletter
November is Native American Heritage Month
Native Americans have been historically marginalized due to America's history of silencing the voices of the colonized. November is the month that shines a spotlight on different Indigenous cultures and symbolizes the reclamation of a month previously overshadowed by the honoring of settler-colonialism. Celebrating Native American heritages and education about the intricate web of different tribal histories is a form of letting the world know that Native Americans have not disappeared – that their voices are alive and must be heard.


Check out the following resources to learn more this month and all year round:

(This newsletter segment was written by our amazing intern from UCSC, Michelle Yi)
Children & Youth Bill of Rights Prep Session
Join us to learn about the City of Santa Cruz's proposed Children & Youth Bill of Rights!

(Open to youth 11-21 in Santa Cruz County)

Youth will have the opportunity to:
  • Connect with Councilmember Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson to learn about how Santa Cruz City is looking to formalize youth voice within city planning & decision making.
  • Share your ideas of how youth voice should be integrated.
  • Learn how to make a public comment or write a letter of support for the upcoming City Council Meeting.
  • Connect with other youth & teens!

Wednesday, 12/8 from 5:30-6:30 pm
Follow this link to RSVP: https://bit.ly/YouthPrepSession
YAN Youth & Adult Survey
The Youth Action Network (YAN) wants to hear from youth and adults in Santa Cruz County to help inform our work! Your answers will inform how we are doing as a community in terms of supporting youth and could also lead to positive changes in youth programming in Santa Cruz County! 

  • Youth ages 11-21 will have the opportunity to share experiences of where they receive support, participation in after-school & out-of-school programs, and interest in learning leadership skills. 

  • Adults Allies will have the opportunity to share their perceptions and barriers of collaborating and working with youth. 

All responses will remain anonymous. If you complete the survey, you will have the opportunity to enter into a raffle to win a prize by completing a separate form!
Youth Survey Raffle Prizes
Adult Survey Raffle Prize
Youth Survey:
Adult Survey: 
Complete the survey by Friday, 12.10.21 for your chance to win a raffle prize & help increase youth-well being in
Santa Cruz County.

Share Your Voice!
Santa Cruz Downtown Plan Expansion Project
Calling youth from the City of Santa Cruz to share your ideas for creating a community vision for the area south of Laurel St. Your input will help to inform a number of possible future development scenarios and ultimately a set of policies, development standards, and design guidelines that will be incorporated into the existing Downtown Plan.

Follow this link to share your input: click here
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: YAB@encompass.org
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
tguzman@splg.org
Youth Organizing Opportunity: California Freedom Summer
The program offers coursework and course credit to UC students as well as high school students who are interested in youth organizing. Students who participate in a 15-week training program will be considered for a summer 2022 paid internship in youth organizing groups ($5000). This project builds on the 2018 Central Valley Freedom Summer

If you have any questions, please contact Antonia Izuogu, Fellow at the UCLA Bunche Center for African-American Studies at antoniaizuogu@g.ucla.edu. Thank you for helping us with outreach.
Community Events & Resources
Blended Bridge & Fuerza Santa Cruz Mutual Aid Holiday Drive 2021
Blended Bridge & Fuerza Santa Cruz are having their 2nd annual Mutual Aide Holiday Drive for youth and families in the Santa Cruz Beach Flats Community.

Interested in providing mutual aid by purchasing a gift(s) or a monetary donation? Follow this link: https://www.blendedbridge.com/holidaydrive
United 4 Youth Watsonville: Art in the Plaza
Join Watsonville United 4 Youth Partners for their first in-person United 4 Youth event!

Create fun art & crafts and learn about our services while enjoying the local farmer's market.

When: Friday, December 10, 2021
Where: Watsonville Plaza, 358 Main St. Watsonville, CA 95076
Who: All ages—this is a family-friendly event and location!

RSVP on Facebook Today: click here

What's United 4 Youth?
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
Email: meridithc@cbridges.org
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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