Youth are not a problem to solve—they are a resource to nurture
Our Mission: Empowering youth to be actively engaged participants and leaders in our communities.
What youth are saying
about CalCenter
“The CalCenter seeks
and works hard to get everyone involved. It does not matter if you’re outgoing or conservative they make you feel part of a group.”
“I was able to fully understand the process of a boycott and a march to the point where I could implement one in my life if necessary.”
“I learned how to engage in respectful discussions that will engage me mentally with people of opposing viewpoints.”
“Because of Green Focus, I feel like I can speak to my representatives.
I feel like there
is no barrier between me
and my representatives.”
The California Center for Civic Participation is a non-profit civic education organization, engaging high school students by sparking their interest with exposure to real excitement of the democratic process. We believe that youth hold so much untapped and unlimited power to transform their communities and their world. We exist to expose and nurture that power. When young people are educated and clear about how democracy should function, they are then able to use it as a pathway to accomplish their goals and make the change they want to see.
We believe youth are not a problem to solve,
but a resource to nurture.
Through our programs, thousands of young people across the state have become active players in the public policies affecting their communities. In addition to making informed decisions on today’s issues, youth gain the skills, tools and resources to thoughtfully assess the questions of tomorrow. Our time-tested and holistic approach to learning gives youth a clear pathway on HOW to think about complex issues, but not WHAT to think. We make learning about government fun, accessible and relatable. Young people leave our programs more motivated, better informed and ready to take meaningful civic action in their everyday lives.