Voices For Change Event Forum Summary
On April 30th, 2026 the California Youth Empowerment Commission (YEC) and its partners at RAPSA, Sacramento State University, COYN, OYC, and NEW WAYS TO WORK hosted the “Voices For Change Youth Activation Session in Sacramento, CA. The Gathering brought together youth, educators, and community advocates to discuss the real world challenges facing California’s young people and to encourage them to use their lived experiences to drive policy change.
Through storytelling workshops and listening sessions, participants highlighted several critical issues:
Mental Health and Well-being: Youth expressed frustration over the stigma surrounding mental health, especially within communities of color, and shared how their struggles are often dismissed until they become severe. They also raised concerns about the negative impact of social media on isolation and self-esteem, while advocating for environments where vulnerability is met with compassion.
Housing and Financial Insecurity: Many participants recounted personal experiences with homelessness and housing instability, illustrating how current assistance programs often have unrealistic financial eligibility requirements.
Education and Inclusion: The discussions emphasized the need for stronger safety policies for undocumented students, greater focus on early bilingual education, and educational environments that approach struggling students with empathy rather than punishment.
Community and Belonging: A central theme of the entire forum was the idea that love, connection, and belonging are basic needs, not luxuries. Youth continually stressed the importance of having reliable support systems and making community resources more accessible by removing language and transportation barriers.
Moving forward, the YEC plans to incorporate these youth experiences into its annual report. The insight gathered from the event will be used to build relationships with legislators and inform future commission priorities regarding youth mental health, housing stability, and educational equity.
