Youth Membership

overview

As a member of a local CYC chapter, you will join a youth-centered movement to transform the experience and outcomes of youth impacted by the foster care system. Our members focus on legislation, policy, practice, and public education while calling for youth to be at the center of all decisions impacting their stability. By investing in the leadership of thousands of CYC youth members around California, we have created countless opportunities for youth voice to guide systems change.

Youth and young adults ages 14-24 with lived experience in foster care are encouraged to become members and organize within our chapters throughout California. With the support of staff and volunteers, chapters focus on leadership development, local community education, and policy implementation. Members also lead statewide activities, including conferences, legislative implementation, and the Statewide Membership Council (SMC).

NEED more information?

If you would like more information about CYC and what it means to be a CYC member, please fill out the membership interest form below and a Community Advocacy Coordinator will contact you and give you all the information you need.

If you are outside of the youth membership age range of 14-24, please see our Volunteer page for more information about how to support the organization as a Volunteer Supporter.

COMMUNITY ADVOCACY COORDINATORS

Our Community Advocacy Coordinators are responsible for providing the foundational resources for youth-led advocacy and leadership development activities in county-based chapters throughout California.

Far Northern Region
Keishanne Whitworth
Northern Region
Mercedes Parker-Gilmore
Bay Area Region
Meribe Martin
Southern Bay Area Region
Meribe Martin

Central Valley Region
Brandy Rodriguez
Southern Region
Carolyn Travis
Los Angeles Region
Kate Teague

Want to start a chapter in your county? Our chapters are central to all of our work. To start a chapter in your county, at least two youth between the ages of 14 and 24 who have experienced foster care and one volunteer supporter will sign an agreement confirming they will agree to meet at least twice every month. During these meetings, members will work on a local issue, will recruit members and supporters as needed, will send representatives to the Statewide Membership Council meetings, and will attend our two annual conferences. If you don't currently have a chapter in your county and are interested in starting one, please email info@calyouthconn.org.