In our 34-year history, CYC has established a unique model of youth empowerment through sophisticated policy advocacy. Today, hundreds of current and former foster youth are organized into chapters throughout California. By participating in our three annual youth-led conferences and our robust training program, CYC members develop essential skills and engage directly with policymakers.
Empowerment – we value empowering current and former foster youth to assume leadership and advocacy roles.
Member Leadership – we value members assuming leadership positions both within the organization and within the community.
Professional & Personal Development – we value the professionalism and skill of our members and value providing the training needed to enable all members to reach their fullest potential.
Organizing Foster Youth – we value organizing current and former foster youth on a county, state, and ultimately a national and global level to advocate for their rights and improve the foster care system.
Willingness for Responsibility – we value the commitment and responsibility of our members and supporters to the organization and to improving the foster care system.
Expertise of Youth – we value foster youth as experts with valuable, insightful information and ideas on the foster care system and how it can be improved.
Respect – we value respect as the foundation of our organization and the basis for our relationships with each other.
Inclusion – we value the inclusion and acceptance of everyone in the organization and value our strengths and diversity as a community.
Network of Committed Organizations and Individuals – we value the network of committed organizations and individuals who share our common goals of improving the foster care system and youth advocacy.
Goals of Organization– we value holding the goals and missions of the organization as priority, and value putting self-serving interests aside for the betterment of the whole.