Celebrating youth leadership and intergenerational connection
What does it mean to build a more connected, compasionate city? At CYC, we believe it begins with young people who consistently show up and take meaningful action. Over the past school year, Youth for Community Engagement (YCE) participants built relationships that bridged generations, fostered resilience, and transformed neighborhoods across San Francisco.
At the heart of this work is Adopt-A-Senior-Building (AASB), an activity that reimagines youth leadership. Across 17 senior housing sites, youth lead activities like bingo, origami, and light exercise that meaningful connections with elders. One building manager noted how important these visits are to the seniors in residence: “They love bingo the most, but more than that, they love seeing the same group of youth come back. It makes them feel less alone.”
At a time when both youth and seniors can feel isolated, these intergenerational relationships offer a sense of purpose and belonging. “I’ve made so many fun memories with the seniors,” said Winfie, Club President at Galileo High School. “It’s helped me understand their lives better, and we’ve built real friendships.”
Jackson, a senior at Washington High School, echoed that sentiment. “Helping seniors means a lot to me. YCE offers workshops that really matter, like air quality and disaster preparedness. I’ve seen how much seniors appreciate learning from us.”
Beyond the senior sites, YCE youth led digital literacy workshops, took part in community celebrations like the Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival, and marched proudly in the Chinese New Year Parade. They also gathered at a fall retreat, where club leaders from nine high schools strengthened their leadership and built connections across campuses. “It brought us all closer,” shared Jackson.
These moments highlight what young people can achieve when they have the opportunity to lead. Whether planning workshops or showing up for community events, YCE youth continue to grow as leaders. Many carry those lessons forward, applying them in college, their careers, and ongoing community involvement.
As we look ahead to the 53rd Annual Youth for Community Engagement Luncheon on June 6th, we invite you to celebrate the young people behind this important work. Their dedication has touched hundreds of lives across generations.
Buy a ticket to attend or purchase one for a senior, so they can be part of this special day. Together, we’ll honor a year of connection and recognize the youth leaders shaping the future of our city.