Voices For Youth
Empowering Big Bear Valley Youth to Lead, Advocate, and Create Change
Voices For Youth is a youth advocacy and leadership program operated by The Mom & Dad Project and funded through the All Children Thrive California (ACT) initiative. Designed for youth ages 14-18 in the Big Bear Valley, the program empowers young people to become leaders, advocates, researchers, and changemakers within their community.
Through leadership development, civic engagement, and hands-on community research, participants gain the skills and confidence needed to identify local challenges, amplify youth perspectives, and help shape solutions that improve the lives of children, youth, and families.
Youth Voice Matters
Voices For Youth is founded on a simple belief: those closest to the challenges often have valuable insights into the solutions.
By providing opportunities for leadership, civic engagement, and advocacy, the program helps cultivate the next generation of community leaders while ensuring that youth perspectives are included in conversations that shape the future of Big Bear Valley.
Making an Impact in Big Bear Valley
Voices For Youth was established to ensure that young people have opportunities to help shape their community. In its first cohort, six youth participants spent three years identifying local needs, conducting research, and engaging in community advocacy efforts.
One key issue identified by youth leaders was the lack of safe and accessible spaces for young people, particularly during the winter months when outdoor gathering spaces become limited. Youth participants brought attention to the importance of creating environments where young people feel connected, heard, and supported.
Building on this work, the program’s second cohort is continuing to explore community challenges, engage local stakeholders, and develop solutions that support youth well-being and belonging throughout Big Bear Valley.
Today, Voices For Youth includes nine young leaders committed to creating positive change through leadership, collaboration, and advocacy.
Program Outcomes
Through their participation, youth develop:
Greater confidence and self-awareness
Strong leadership and teamwork skills
Public speaking and advocacy experience
Research and data analysis skills
A deeper understanding of community issues
Knowledge of local civic processes
The ability to effectively contribute to community change efforts
Areas of Focus
Leadership Development
Participants learn how to facilitate discussions, lead projects, set goals, and build accountability while developing confidence in themselves as leaders.
Communication & Public Speaking
Youth strengthen their ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, advocate for issues they care about, and engage with local leaders.
Community Research
Participants learn how to collect, analyze, and interpret both quantitative and qualitative data to better understand community needs.
Civic Engagement & Policy
Youth gain an understanding of how local government works and learn how community members can contribute to meaningful policy and systems change.
Personal Growth
Participants explore their individual strengths, interests, and future goals while building skills that support educational, career, and life success.
About All Children Thrive (ACT)
All Children Thrive California (ACT) is a statewide initiative focused on improving child and family well-being by preventing childhood trauma and supporting community-driven solutions. ACT empowers local residents and organizations to create lasting systems and policy changes that promote healthier, more resilient communities.
As part of this initiative, Voices For Youth ensures that young people have a seat at the table and opportunities to contribute directly to decisions affecting their lives and futures.
