“For 30 years, CYC has allowed young people to be part of a story of hope. Our participation in CYC gives us the hope we didn’t have growing up. It’s hope for yourself and hope for the next generation. CYC allows young people to be immortal. We get to see that immortal stamp: I did that. We always know we’ve made that change in the world.”
—Patterson Emesibe
Volunteer Supporter, Peer Mentor, & Former Member
Special 30th Anniversary publication
Check out our beautiful 30th Anniversary Commemorative Publication!
“California Youth Connection is a shining star of what makes this state great, and we want to follow your lead in what we need to do to support young people…Keep up the great work. Here’s to the next 30 years of CYC!”
—Assemblymember Tony Thurmond (D–Richmond)
30th Anniversary Videos
Watch our powerful 30th Anniversary Video. “It is not an overstatement to say that thousands of children and youth have lives that are far better than they would have been were it not for the work of CYC.” —Frank Mecca, Executive Director, County Welfare Directors Association of California “CYC has taught me that I have a voice, and I’m a leader and I can empower others. And it’s also empowered me. It’s taught me that my past can help others instead of bringing me down.”
—Cali Murphy, CYC Member “CYC aligns with my life story and with my desire to be part of something bigger than myself.”—Miguel Almodovar, Former CYC Member, Current CYC Board Member View the extended version of the video.
Read more about CYC’s Day at the Capitol and 2018 policy priority HERE.
Learn more about CYC’s 30 years of impact HERE.
FEATURED CHAMPIONS
Meet CRYSTAL
MEMBER
CYC member Crystal Ramirez from the Fresno County Chapter was thrilled to find out she’d won CYC’s 2018 Elinore Biederman Memorial Foster Youth Recognition College Scholarship. “Growing up in foster care, moving around from home to home I’d never really been recognized for anything. So to be recognized for furthering my education, which is something I never thought I could do, feels awesome.”
MEET PATTERSON
VOLUNTEER SUPPORTER, FORMER MEMBER AND PEER MENTOR
“For 30 years, CYC has been allowing young people to be part of a story of hope. That’s what keeps us there. Our participation in CYC gives us the hope we didn’t have growing up. It’s hope for yourself and hope for the next generation. CYC allows young people to be immortal. We get to see that immortal stamp: I did that. We always know we’ve made that change in the world. I think that’s why young people stay in CYC.”
Meet DELIA
FOUNDING VOLUNTEER SUPPORTER
“People grow anyway but we don’t all have the opportunity to have the kinds of experiences that can really change lives. Those are the positive things you can’t really put your hands on. As adults, we’re just kind of like the link to it. I think it’s that simple. It’s not like there’s a magic wand within us to make it happen. Almost all of the kids come back to say thank you, but I don’t think it’s us so much as it is them.”