Leadership Development & Civic Engagement
CORE Team
Youth Together operates student clubs at each of the school site in which we work. CORE Teams are comprised of 2-3 youth-elected Lead Student Organizers (LSOs) and a Core Team of 25-30 student members. Through these groups, we develop the leadership and organizing skills of youth members, imparting practical skills in public speaking, organizing, follow-through, event planning, and civic engagement. Youth Together student organizers also affect the larger school population while gaining practical skills in strategizing and implementing ongoing Unity Days/Weeks. These events combine workshops on diversity, anti-violence, and the history of anti-oppression struggles with arts programming, cultural events, and assemblies.
Lead Student Organizers
(LSOs)
Since 1996, Youth Together has empowered youth across the East Bay to mobilize for a high-quality public education system. LSOs (Lead Student Organizers) of Youth Together continue to organize school-wide initiatives aimed at promoting peace, unity, and justice, as well as organizing for more youth and family voices and engagement within school districts.
Youth Together offers a year-round mentoring program where current LSOs hone their leadership skills, participate in civic engagement, and facilitate workshops. Lead Student Organizers receive training on de-escalation tactics such as conflict resolution, political education, and foundational community organizing for social change and transformation.
“YT is not just another non-profit organization. It is a close-knit community full of people who have the same common goal, a group of revolutionaries. YT has become my chosen family and I don’t know where I would be without these amazing people.”
Lina Nguyen, 10th Grade
Lead Student Organizer
23/24 Cohort
Youth Collective
Young individuals from across the Bay Area, spanning from Oakland to Richmond to San Francisco, united to foster community, deepen their understanding of the issues affecting Palestinians, and to show out for solidarity.
Each school site team coordinates a school-based campaign, designed and implemented by the core youth. Each organizing effort includes youth-led needs assessment, outreach, awareness raising, campaign education, events, and efforts to collaborate with other organizations and school administration.