The Statewide Steering Committee on Youth Leadership amplifies the voice, creativity and power of youth to organize and advocate for transformational change and healing in our communities and across California. About Building Healthy Communities:
The California Endowment has teamed up with 14 communities throughout the state to help improve their physical, social, and economic environments and the
reby promote the health of children and families. Through this 10 year commitment to Building Healthy Communities, The Endowment and those involved have come to understand that health happens not just in doctors’ offices, but health happens in neighborhoods. The Statewide Steering Committee for Youth Leadership:
The Statewide Steering Committee for Youth Leadership in Building Health Communities provides youth with opportunities to develop new skills, express their opinions and to take action! We believe that youth have powerful ideas, that they are capable of speaking for themselves, and that their involvement will accelerate progress to a better future. Communities involved in the BHC initiative statewide are charged with engaging youth in their work to improve the health of residents by creating healthier neighborhoods. In addition to the local work,
efforts are emerging to engage youth in regional and statewide policy work and to create learning communities to support youth and adults as they work together in this exciting initiative. Part of the structure being built includes opportunities for youth to take leadership in ensuring that all youth involved in BHC work are well supported and have meaningful opportunities to participate locally, regionally and statewide. We need to make sure that youth are part of the decision making processes that will guide the development of this work.