Over fifty youth and adults from eight communities throughout the state participated in the Next Generation Capitol Focus, an “extended” version of our longstanding flagship program, Capitol Focus. Read on to learn about what the participants are up to next!

The overall goal of Capitol Focus Next Generation was for participants to develop partnerships that support classroom, community, and state level civic engagement opportunities for youth; and to advance progress on urgent issues facing our state. Participants returned to their communities with action plans to educate their peers on priority issues and motivate others to participate in civic affairs. 

LOCAL ACTION PLANS

This year youth and their adult allies were asked to conduct a follow-up activity in their community such as conduct youth presentations about the issues they studied; classroom activity plans developed by participating educators; and create a local action plan to sustain and expand civic engagement opportunities for youth in each community. Below are some of the team’s local plans.

Sacramento

Youth are developing a Social Justice course at Sacramento High School, to build greater awareness around key policy issues and to empower more youth to be civically involved in the community.

Boyle Heights

At Roosevelt High School youth want to conduct presentations on campus to educate their peers on health, education and criminal justice issues. They also plan to conduct a teacher training on the state government with the goal that more teachers will include this information in their course curriculum.

Yolo County

Youth are collaborating with local elementary schools to build awareness amongst immigrant families and youth on the importance of education and opportunities for civic engagement.

Fresno County

Students are fired up about education reform issues and are partnering with Mayor Ashley Swearengin to reshape education reform policies with in the community.

Freemont

At Irvington High School youth are working with staff from Assemblymember Mary Hayashi’s office to develop a peer-to-peer education program to strengthen student relationships and build a more positive youth environment in the community. They also plan to conduct a youth-friendly classroom presentation on criminal justice issues with the overall goal is to educate their peers on important policy issues.

Chula Vista

Youth are preparing a presentation for over 30 local business partners and stakeholders to educate them on health and education policy issues and the importance of creating more civic engagement opportunities for youth.

El Segundo

Youth have already presented to their school board on the policy issues they learned about at the program as well as the importance of youth getting involved in civic engagement opportunities. One student has began an internship this summer with a local councilmen and plans to support the structure of a government class at his school next year.

NEXT STEPS: CAPITOL PRESENTATION IN OCTOBER 2010

In October we will send two representatives to an State Capitol Presentation by representatives of participating communities and other youth activists that will be made to our advisory committee, sponsor representatives and elected officials that will feature highlights of local civic engagement and state-level policy recommendations to support civic engagement be youth. Stay tuned for more updates!