Youth, Education & Leadership
Invest in Young People. Build Future Leaders.
Because the Future Depends on How We Invest in Our Young People.
Young people in the 56th District are brilliant, creative, and capable. They organize movements, start businesses, lead community initiatives, and envision futures we haven't imagined yet. But too often, systems fail them.
That has to change.
We don't need to wait for young people to become leaders—they're leading now. We need to invest in them now. Give them skills now. Create opportunities now. Listen to them now.
That's why I'm fighting for comprehensive youth development, education support, and leadership pipelines that recognize young people as the assets they are.
Power Up Youth Expansion
Power Up Youth is a proven model—community-based programs that provide safe spaces, mentorship, skill-building, and leadership opportunities for young people. But there aren't enough of them, and they're chronically underfunded. We need to expand these programs so every young person in the 56th District has access to positive, engaging opportunities
What this looks like:
After-school programs that provide homework help, enrichment activities, meals, and safe spaces during critical hours
Summer programs that prevent "summer slide" and keep young people engaged when school is out
Mentorship programs pairing youth with positive role models in fields they're interested in
Youth organizing and advocacy training that teaches civic engagement and community leadership
Arts, sports, and recreation programs that provide outlets for expression and team-building
STEM and technology programs that prepare young people for 21st-century careers
Entrepreneurship programs that teach business skills and support youth-led ventures
College prep and navigation support for students without family experience in higher education
Why it matters: The hours between 3-6pm are when young people are most at risk—not because they're "bad," but because they have nowhere safe and engaging to be. Quality youth programs aren't babysitting—they're development. They build skills, confidence, relationships, and pathways. Young people who participate in strong youth programs have better educational outcomes, lower involvement in violence, and stronger civic engagement. This isn't charity—it's community investment that pays dividends.
Civic & Leadership Training
Young people are natural organizers—they mobilize for climate justice, racial equity, education reform, and community change. But too often, they're excluded from formal leadership spaces and denied the training and resources that would amplify their impact. We need to invest in civic education and leadership development that recognizes young people as changemakers right now.
What this looks like:
Youth civic academies that teach organizing, advocacy, policy analysis, and community leadership
Student government and youth council support with real decision-making power, not just advisory roles
Campaign and political training for young people interested in electoral politics and policy
Community organizing workshops on issue campaigns, coalition building, and direct action
Media and communications training so young people can tell their own stories effectively
Youth participatory budgeting where young people directly allocate public funds
Internship and fellowship programs in government, nonprofits, and advocacy organizations
Intergenerational leadership opportunities that bridge youth and elder organizers
Why it matters: Young people shouldn't have to wait until they're 30 to lead—they're leading now. When we invest in their civic development, we create organizers who will fight for justice for decades. We build a bench of leaders who understand community power from experience, not theory. We ensure that the next generation isn't just inheriting problems—they're equipped to solve them. Youth civic engagement isn't preparation for the future—it's democracy happening right now.
Workforce & Career Preparation
Young people need more than minimum-wage jobs that lead nowhere. They need career pathways with growth potential, skill-building opportunities that prepare them for good jobs, and connections to industries that are hiring. Workforce development for youth shouldn't be an afterthought—it should be a core investment in economic mobility.
What this looks like:
Career exploration programs that expose young people to diverse fields and career possibilities
Paid internships and apprenticeships in growing industries with living wages, not exploitative "experience"
Industry certifications and credentialing programs in healthcare, technology, skilled trades, and green jobs
Financial literacy training covering budgeting, credit, investing, and wealth-building
Resume, interview, and professional skills workshops that prepare young people to navigate job markets
Employer partnerships that create pipelines from training to employment with benefits
Entrepreneurship support including business planning, access to capital, and mentorship for young entrepreneurs
Higher education and alternative pathways support—college isn't the only route to success
Why it matters: Young people need real workforce preparation that leads to careers with benefits, advancement potential, and family-sustaining wages. When we invest in youth workforce development, we break cycles of poverty, reduce economic insecurity, and build a skilled workforce that strengthens our entire economy. Young people aren't just looking for jobs—they're looking for futures. We need to create pathways that actually lead somewhere.
The Bottom Line:
Young people aren't the leaders of tomorrow—they're leaders today.
When we expand Power Up Youth programs, we create safe spaces where young people thrive.
When we invest in civic training, we build organizers who will fight for justice for decades.
When we create real workforce pathways, we give young people economic power and mobility.
Because the future depends on how we invest in our young people.
And communities that invest in youth don't just survive—they lead.