Vision & Mission
Our vision is that all foster youth will be equal partners in contributing to all policies and decisions made in their lives. All youth in foster care will have their needs met and the support to grow into healthy and vibrant adults.
The mission of California Youth Connection (CYC), a youth-led organization, is to develop leaders who empower each other and their communities to transform the foster care system through legislative, policy, and practice change. Learn more about our community!
Send in your letters of support for Assembly Bill 56 & Senate Bill 512
Need an activity to do in your chapter meeting? Write a support letter for Assembly Bill 56 and Senate Bill 512!
Senate Bill 512 (Dave Min) – Senate Bill (SB) 512 will allow greater access to higher education for current and former foster youth by strengthening an existing program for foster youth attending California’s community colleges.
Assembly Bill 46 (Luz Rivas) – This bill establishes a 25-person commission in the state government of youth ages 14-25. This bill mandates that every region of California is represented within the commission, there is an equal distribution of age and that at least half of the members on the commission have experienced youth homelessness, foster care, disabilities, or juvenile incarceration.
Ways to get involved in our community
Do you have lived experience in the foster care or juvenile justice systems and are between the ages of 14-24? You can become a CYC member by submitting a membership inquiry. Learn more information about CYC membership and chapters.
Are you 25 years old + and want to work alongside youth in systems change work? CYC is a unique youth-adult partnership that mobilizes system-impacted young people and adult supporters in community advocacy around issues in youth-serving systems. Learn more about how you can support your local CYC members.
Are you an agency or organization that serves young people impacted by youth-serving systems? Learn about how you can provide child welfare professionals with quality youth-centered trainings around youth development and socio-emotional growth.
California Youth Connection provides youth members a platform to engage with decision makers in statewide policy and legislative change. Learn more about this year’s policy and legislative agenda.