Building Paths to Success

Anyone who has ever counted out the power of young people has never met Youth Will.

As a youth led nonprofit, Youth Will empowers young people across San Diego County to become change makers in their communities. From civic engagement, leadership development, workforce opportunities and policy advocacy. They ensure that youth voices are not only heard but actively shape the decisions that affect their lives. Youth Will is helping to create a stronger, more inclusive San Diego for generations to come.

They also helped to create the San Diego Office of Child and Youth Success. Established in 2022, it serves as a centralized hub connecting children, youth and families with resources, services and programs that support their wellbeing and development. The office focuses on improving social, health, educational and career outcomes for young people ages 24 and under by coordinating services, strengthening partnerships and ensuring that youth voices are reflected in city planning and policymaking.

Despite the office’s growing impact and many successes, its future was suddenly thrown into question earlier this year when the entirety of the program was on the chopping block.

The Message is Clear.

The City of San Diego’s preliminary budget proposal, released in April, sought to address a major deficit. Framing his decisions as a “shared sacrifice,” the Mayor proposed eliminating the Office of Child and Youth Success, an office that operated on just $350,000, a fraction of the city’s budget shortfall, while also securing $2 million in federal funding to expand childcare access across the city.

Rather than accept the office’s elimination as collateral damage, Claire Snyder, Director of Programming and Internal Development, took action. In an op-ed published by Voice of San Diego, she helped launch the fight to save the Office of Child and Youth Success with a clear message:

“Do not balance the budget on the backs of children and youth.”

Following the campaign’s first press conference, that message reached more than 600,000 people through media coverage and community engagement efforts. One thing became clear, San Diego’s youth would not go quietly.

A Force for Good

Through strategic organizing and strong partnerships with community members and advocates, Youth Will proved itself to be a powerful force for San Diego’s children and youth. Hearing after hearing, young people showed up, spoke out and demanded a budget that invested in their safety, well-being and voices. They continued to advocate until their message could no longer be ignored.

Driven by the determination and leadership of young people, the Office of Child and Youth Success was ultimately saved and fully funded, ensuring it can continue providing critical services, support, and opportunities for youth across our community.

If there is any doubt about the power of youth voices to create change, this is the answer.