California Youth Connection

California Youth Connection (CYC) is a youth-led organization that develops leaders who empower each other and their communities to transform the foster care system through legislative, policy, and practice change.

The Epicenter currently hosts CYC’s Monterey chapter. If you are interested or would like more information, contact Victor Carmona at Victor@epicentermonterey.org.

CYC was founded in 1988 by a group of foster youth and supportive adults to provide a vehicle for California foster youth to learn leadership and advocacy skills and to engage directly with policymakers to improve the foster care system. Founded on the model of youth empowerment, CYC maintains a dual focus on policy and youth development. CYC is the only organization in California to engage foster youth in the policy-making process. Our foster youth leaders have created a fundamental paradigm shift in child welfare policy in California, ensuring that foster youth are at the center of child welfare policymaking for the first time in history. They are full partners at the policy table, their priorities are shaping reform, and the rate of reform is rapidly increasing.

CYC is based on a model of youth empowerment, however, adult volunteers, or Supporters, are critical to its success. Each chapter must have Supporters who work with the youth to learn the important skills they need to lead the organization, help them define and work on issues, assist in preparation for meetings and presentations, and supervise youth when they travel to statewide conferences or speaking presentations.

CYC is seeking volunteers who care about foster youth, have an interest in assisting foster youth to develop their leadership and political skills, can embrace a “youth-led” philosophy and are interested in bringing the needs and issues of foster youth to the forefront.

CYC is based on a model of youth empowerment, however, young adults from CYC whom either transitioned out or are preparing to age out of the CYC membership age requirement, which is up to 24 years of age, can choose to become a Peer Mentor. Peer Mentors are ready and willing to continue being part of CYC in a much more professional adult-oriented capacity. They continue to explore new ways to receive novel skills and benefits and ways to give back to the younger members in CYC.

A Peer Mentor should be:

A bridge between the needs of the youth and full participation versus the supporters focusing on the logistics and big picture. Someone who takes on roles in the chapter, as a secretary, etc. A partner with the member to develop the skills. Someone who has acquired skills/experience but is not yet ready for their transition (creating succession in the chapter) into a supporter.  Technical aid.