YAN February Newsletter
Celebrating Black History Month Today & Everyday
February is dedicated to celebrating and honoring the rich history of the Black/African American Community. It is a time to celebrate this month and every month of the year! This year we wanted to highlight some youth leaders from the past and present who used their voices to create change and inspire future generations to come.

Check out the following links to learn more:
The Cookout at Harvey West Park
Don't miss out this Saturday 2/16 from 2:00-5:00 pm at Harvey West Park!

Community Organizer and UCSC researcher Ayo Banjo, is hosting the first inaugural Cookout to celebrate Black History Month!

To learn more about the event and Ayo, check out this recent Goodtimes article: click here
YAN Projects Updates
YAN Photovoice Project with UCSC
The YAN Steering Committee started their photovoice research projects in partnership with UCSC Professor Regina Langhout, Ph.D. Student Sylvane Vaccarino, and other undergraduate students. They began taking photographs based on the prompt they decided together as a team: 

"What are the barriers to the community's hopes and dreams? What are the resources we have that help the community achieve their hopes and dreams, and what additional resources do we need?" 

Every two weeks, we work together with the UCSC to analyze the common trends and issues in everyone's photos. 

We look forward to sharing our findings with you all soon! 
To learn about how we are partnering with them through the W.T. grant follow this link click here To learn more about Youth-Participatory Action Research follow this link: click here
Youth Empowerment Institute
Four of our YAN Steering Committee members are working with the Youth Empowerment Insitute (YEI) through UCSC's Everette Program! YEI's goals are to empower students by creating social justice workshops alongside learning helpful tech tools like Canva and Website Design. 

They will be working together to create workshops and a leadership program this summer! Stay tuned to learn more and how to get involved. 
YAN Survey Updates
Thank you to everyone who completed our first YAN Youth & Adult Survey! The results from the survey will help us collect baseline data about youth voice and youth adult-partnerships in the Santa Cruz County Community. 
 
We received over 100 youth surveys and 45 adult surveys! 

We sent raffle prizes to the following winners: 
  • Jose: $125 Visa Gift Card
  • Amy: Baby Yoda Squishmallow
  • Yesmine: Warriors Tickets 
  • Alondra: Tepui Backpack 
  • Jaden: Pizza Party 
  • Valentina: $40 Target Gift Card 
  • Bella: Warriors Tickets 
  • Adriana: Apple HomePod Mini 
(Raffle prize winners were selected by random from a raffle wheel)

We look forward to sharing early results with you all in March! 

Youth Voice & Youth Leadership Opportunities
City of Capitola Youth Advisory Board Opportunity
The City of Capitola is looking for youth to serve on the following boards, commissions, and committees:

  • Art and Cultural Commission
  • Finance Advisory Committee
  • Historical Museum Board
  • Commission on the Environment

Youth members do not have to live in Capitola BUT should live within Soquel Union Elementary School District, or attend Soquel, Harbor, or Aptos High School. 

Interested in learning more and applying? Follow this link: click here
Jóvenes SANOS Newsletter
Please feel free to read Jóvenes Sanos' 2021 Fall Newsletter!

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

If you are interested in joining, register for more information: https://forms.gle/vJd8WnnVHiwiTgJ39
Empower Watsonville Youth Survey
Empower Watsonville would like to hear about your experiences with substance use. This will help them work towards establishing a restorative policy for students caught with substances or caught intoxicated on campus.

Interested in taking the anonymous survey? Follow these links:
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
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
Community Events & Resources
Latino Role Models 2022 Virtual Conference
Join Senderos on March 12th from 9:00-12:00 pm for the Latino Role Models 2022 Virtual Conference

This conference is designed to inspire students from grades 6 through college to achieve their college and career dreams. Presentations focus on the experiences of Latino professionals, students, parents, and community leaders who share the barriers they have overcome and strategies to persevere! 📚🎓

This virtual conference will be held in Spanish with English translation.

Follow this link to register: click here
United 4 Youth Live Oak: Free 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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