Youth Programs
Our Civic Engagement & Advocacy programs empower young people to become advocates for themselves, their peers, and their communities. Our programs educate youth on effective strategies for enacting and advocating systemic change. We inspire youth to believe that making a difference is achievable at any age!
Rancho Cordova Youth Programs
Youth at City Council and Summer at City Hall serve youth ages 13-18 that reside in Rancho Cordova. Youth learn about local government and how it affects our daily lives, as well as how to find their own voice. Members of these programs have the opportunity to interact with local leaders to gain their perspective and insight. In each program, youth are trained on how to create policy proposals. By the end of each program, youth present their ideas to the City Council and City staff in a special presentation.
Youth at City Council and Summer at City Hall serve youth ages 13-18 that reside in Rancho Cordova. Youth learn about local government and how it affects our daily lives, as well as how to find their own voice. Members of these programs have the opportunity to interact with local leaders to gain their perspective and insight. In each program, youth are trained on how to create policy proposals. By the end of each program, youth present their ideas to the City Council and City staff in a special presentation.
Youth at City Council
- Students will meet every Monday from 5:00 - 6:30pm, from January - May each year
- Concentration on the City Council structure and meeting process
- Youth are invited to join council meetings in a hands-on capacity
- Students will earn a $100 stipend upon successful completion of the program
Summer at City Hall
- Program operates in the month of July
- Focused on learning about the city departments and how they make a city function
- Program members take various tours across departments and city development
- Students earn a $200 stipend for successful completion of the program
Youth Engagement Fellowships
PRO employs transitional-aged youths to spend a year immersed in Sacramento County Office of Education departments. This program provides youths an opportunity to expand their professional skill set in the workforce and utilize their life experience when advising departments. Throughout the program, participants inform the School Board of Trustees about their observations with intent to improve department activities. In this collaboration with SCOE, PRO has found a way to ensure that the changes and improvements made in their system are youth-first.
PRO employs transitional-aged youths to spend a year immersed in Sacramento County Office of Education departments. This program provides youths an opportunity to expand their professional skill set in the workforce and utilize their life experience when advising departments. Throughout the program, participants inform the School Board of Trustees about their observations with intent to improve department activities. In this collaboration with SCOE, PRO has found a way to ensure that the changes and improvements made in their system are youth-first.
Radha
Behavioral Health Youth Advisory Board, Chair
Serving on the BHYAB has been an eye-opening journey. I've dived deep into the mental health needs of our young people. I've witnessed the power of language, advocacy, and effective community engagement through interactions with the refugee committee, the Youth Commission, and even UC Davis Medicine. Together on the board, we created a policy brief and presented it to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and the Sacramento County Office of Education, intending to focus on holistic well-being for the youth community. These experiences have helped me understand something that I had - my voice - and its potential to shape our society. Being on this board isn't just a position; it's a platform, and I'm ready to step onto it and make a difference.
80% agreed or strongly agreed “I am more engaged in my community.”
77% agreed or strongly agreed “I feel confident in my leadership skills.”
92% agree they have the power to make a difference in their community
89% feel confident they can now advocate on issues that are important to them