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.
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.
Learn more about our community
Are you between the ages of 14-24 ? Do you have lived experience in the foster care or juvenile justice systems? Then you’re in the right place to learn about CYC youth membership and our chapter work.
Are you 25 years old + and want to work alongside youth to create systems change? 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.
Are you an agency or organization that serves young people impacted by youth-serving systems? CYC provides child welfare professionals with quality youth-centered trainings around youth development and socio-emotional growth. We are not currently accepting requests at this time.
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.
News and events
Download A Restorative Momement in our Community letter from CYC.
Learn more about LGBTQ Youth in the Foster Care System.
Learn more about AB 175 (Gipson).
Check out CYC’s own Christina Parker and Jordan Sosa guest star on the financial paid podcast with the California Student Aid Commission!
For more information on the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), visit https://www.csac.ca.gov.