Leadership in Action
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.