CYC sees young people as active participants and leaders in the broader community. We engage youth with the community issues they feel are important to them, and broaden that engagement to include new groups, elders, children, and civic role models from across San Francisco.
Our Leadership Development programs foster civic and community engagement through youth-led and youth-driven events and activities that enhance knowledge and increase awareness of community issues.
Our Community Outreach programs connect with API youth facing cultural and language barriers and multiple risk factors. We provide underserved neighborhoods including Bayview and Chinatown with referrals, linkages, educational presentations, and community-building events. We also facilitate skill development and support groups and organize sports and activities at local schools.
Leadership Development programs:
This program provides weekly workshops that encourage leadership development, social awareness, and civic engagement among API youth.
Advocating for Unity, Resilience, and Acceptance (AURA) empowers female youth with leadership development and learning about body positivity and media literacy through skills-based themes and developing a social media campaign. Female youth are paired with a mentor who help guide them through the semester.
This program provides skill development and leadership opportunities for youth in the Bayview committed to cultural vibrancy, youth inclusion, and racial harmony.
With connection to the city Youth Commissioner, this program encourages connection to and understanding of city government by engaging District 7 youth leaders to propose legislation and policy affecting their district.
This program provides API high school sophomores and juniors with academic, life, and college application skill-building and mentorship.
Young Asian Women Against Violence (YAWAV) is a 9-month program where youth learn about the root causes and impact of violence, and cultivate their leadership skills and voice.
The Youth Justice Collective prepares high school -aged youth to become leaders of positive social change.
Community Outreach programs:
The Coalition for Community Safety and Justice (CCSJ) is a group of four Asian Pacific Islander (API) organizations formed to address the safety of the API community against violence, racism, and xenophobia. CYC is serving as the fiscal agency for the CCSJ and provides coordinated street outreach and crisis response services.
The Community Safety Outreach Program (CSOP) teaches and informs the public about the importance of disaster preparedness by providing free seismic, fire, and emergency outreach and education to youth, seniors, residents, businesses, merchants, and community-based organizations.
CYC youth across San Francisco teach monolingual seniors how to operate smartphones and tablet computers. These invaluable skills give seniors the mobility, access, and freedom to connect to the world beyond their community.
Founded in 1972, Youth for Community Engagement (YCE) promotes self-development, communication skills, and a positive attitude to help immigrant youth and elderly adapt to a new country. Youth learn the value of what it means to give back and build a community through volunteerism.