Youth Empowerment Commission’s Five-Year Strategic Plan: (2025-2030)

The California Youth Empowerment Commission (“YEC” or “Commission”) is developing a Strategic Plan to guide the direction and priorities of the Commission over the next few years. We ask that you be part of the conversation and provide feedback on the draft strategic plan.

Strategic Plan Survey: 2025-2030

 

Draft Mission Statement 

 

To amplify the voices and leadership of California’s youth – especially those from marginalized communities – by shaping policy, fostering civic engagement, and advancing equitable access to opportunities that promote youth well-being and power.  

 

Draft Vision Statement 

 

A California where all young people thrive in systems that are just, inclusive, and responsive to their lived experiences and futures. 

 

Draft Core Values 

 

  • Youth Power & Leadership 
  • Equity & Inclusion 
  • Authentic Engagement 
  • Collaboration & Partnership 
  • Transparency & Accountability 
  • Proactive & Systemic Solutions 

 

 

Draft Goals and Objectives 

GOAL 1. Programs and Services Access

Goal: Expand equitable access to existing youth programs and services by addressing cultural, financial, geographical, language, social, technological, and other systemic barriers

Objectives:

1.1 Establish funding opportunities that grow the capacity of youth programs and services and reduce financial burdens on youth and families, especially those from marginalized communities

1.2 Advise State policymakers and systems on removing barriers to access in youth-serving policies, programs, and services

1.3 Amplify existing youth programs and services to increase awareness among youth and family about available supports

GOAL 2. Preventative Care Models

GOAL: Strengthen the youth-serving support systems focused on earlier interventions that prevent crisis or mitigate its impacts

Objectives:

2.1 Evaluate the current balance of preventative and in-crisis resourcing across youth-serving systems

2.2 Promote youth- and community-informed preventative care models and their efficacy

2.3 Grow the use of pre-crisis youth wellbeing indicators among youth-serving practitioners to inform budgeting, design, and delivery of programs and services

GOAL 3. Youth Activation

GOAL: Activate youth to participate in sustained meaningful civic engagement, with a focus on growing accessibility for historically underrepresented and marginalized youth

Objectives:

3.1 Cultivate youth leadership and civic engagement learning and development through partnerships with public policy and civic engagement organizations

3.2 Create youth-relevant public awareness campaigns promoting youth civic engagement opportunities in collaboration with State, local, and community organizations

3.3 Document and share the impact of youth civic engagement to encourage transparency and continued youth engagement

GOAL 4. Youth Ecosystem

GOAL: Grow the capacity and collaboration of youth-serving organizations throughout the State

Objectives:

4.1 Elevate clear and accessible funding pathways to grow and sustain local youth commissions

4.2 Facilitate knowledge- and resource-sharing among youth-serving organizations

4.3 Amplify the efforts and needs of youth-serving organizations throughout the State

GOAL 5. Operational Infrastructure

GOAL: Establish foundational operations infrastructure for the Commission to evolve from an emerging to established organization capable of long-term impact

Objectives:

5.1 Develop a media and communications platform that reaches youth and expands access to relevant information on updates, opportunities, and impact

5.2 Build diversified, stable funding streams to promote gradual year-over-year increases in financial agility

5.3 Increase staff capacity to meet growing Commission needs