Our Mission

To empower youth to be vital participants in decision making processes at all levels.

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Youth Advocate Network for Sustainable Communities

About the Program

The Youth Advocates Network for Sustainable Communities (YANSC) was formed in January of 2011 because California’s youth are in danger of being left out of accelerating decision-making processes in the sustainability realm. How do build communities that reduce carbon emissions and encourage physical activity?  How do we create access to healthy, affordable food?  How can we save and produce energy in ways that reduce our dependency on diminishing fossil fuels?  How can we do this all in a way that creates health and prosperity for all people and that preserves our environment?  YANSC builds on our experience supporting youth engaged in local, state and national obesity prevention work focusing on healthy environments; our 2008 North American Youth Leadership Conference for a Sustainable Future; and our 2009 Youth Council for Sustainable Communities piloted in Sacramento in 2009.  Based on the success of those projects, the California Endowment, Sempra Energy Utilities, Kaiser Permanente, Chevron and others have agreed to support the Youth Advocates Network for Sustainable Communities. Forty youth 15-23 years old were drawn from Fresno, Santa Ana, Sacramento and the Bay Area; and the project will expand to include other cities in 2012.  So far they have conducted research, consulted with experts, developed a survey and platform and are now deeply engaged in processes that will transform our communities.