The Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) has finally arrived in Merced. And it’s here with a bang.
The opening of the new office at 470 W. Main Street #15 is the first expansion for the organization in 15 years. First venturing into the Central Valley in 2003 with the establishment of a Fresno office, members are excited to lay roots in the northern part of the San Joaquin Valley.
“We believe that youth in Merced have powerful voices; it is our hope that through the work we do at Youth Leadership Institute we can guide the youth to find their voices and address policy issues they would like to see changed within their community,” said Katrina Ruiz, the YLI Merced Program Manager. “We are thrilled to continue the work our non-profit has done throughout the state with youth-led campaigns, research, development and policy change. Our values in action have been founded on Inclusion, Innovation, Social Justice, and Community. We are excited to bring these opportunities to Merced and look forward to seeing our youth in action.”
An open house was held this week with raffle prizes, an indigenous dance ceremony, music, and fellowship.
Founded in 1989 and incorporated in 1991, The Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) has played a central role in the national and statewide youth leadership and youth development movement for over a decade.
YLI uses an “Inside-Outside Strategy,” working both with groups and decision-makers inside systems (schools, health departments, and other governmental agencies) and with outside groups (community coalitions, schools, and grassroots organizers).
Translating the latest research into real-world programs and strategies, trainings and knowledge, YLI has proven experience with the nexus between science and practice.
Having participated in the development of thousands of young people, they have had the good fortune of learning on the ground through a series of “learning laboratories” with rigorous participatory action research and evaluation that they are infused in culturally and community-minded curricula and training.
Each year, YLI delivers more than 200 trainings, workshops, and presentations designed to build young people’s leadership capacity and make youth-serving systems more responsive to young people’s contributions and perspectives.
YLI consists of two interrelated parts: The Training Institute, and a set of community-based programs. The Training Institute offers education; consultation, technical assistance and resources that help youth-serving institutions integrate science-based principles of youth development. YLI’s community-based programs provide youth leadership opportunities in three areas: alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) prevention, policy and civic engagement and philanthropy.
In the effort to build off the momentum of previous youth campaigns in Merced, YLI hopes to empower young people in the community and uplift their voices.
Program Coordinators and community members Jesse Ornelas and Claudia Gonzalez are deeply passionate about youth. Over the next year, they will be working to establish YLI’s innovative, powerful youth programming while building strong relationships within the community with the support of new Program Manager Katrina Ruiz.
For more info: Call Claudia Gonzalez at 872-8405, or email at: [email protected].