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:
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.
Bayview Youth Advocates (BYA) is composed of youth leaders in the Bayview committed to cultural vibrancy, youth inclusion, and racial harmony throughout the neighborhood. Youths attend weekly after school meetings and monthly events to develop leadership, advocacy, and organizing skills.
Supporting Transitions & Aspirations Mentorship Program (STAMP) provides API high school sophomores and juniors with academic, life, and college application skill-building and mentorship. Mentors meet their mentees once a month on Saturdays to build rapport and provide guidance.
Young Asian Women Against Violence (YAWAV) is a 9-month youth leadership program where youth learn about the root causes and impact of violence. The program is dedicated to the positive empowerment and development of Asian Pacific Islander high school-aged young women.
PYEP provides at-risk youth ages 10-21 and their families with resources and mentorship to overcome barriers and ensure success in life. PYEP promotes cultural awareness and leadership opportunities, provides 1:1 case management, and monitors youth academic performance and attendance on a weekly basis on-site at schools to prevent truancy.
PSP provides weekly parent support groups and parenting skills development classes. The program allows a knowledge space for parents to access to resources. Weekly parenting classes are available in English, Cantonese, or Spanish.
Community Outreach programs:
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.