Preparing young people
to organize and lead in their local communities

California Youth Leadership Corps (CYLC)

California Youth Leadership Corps (CYLC) is a statewide initiative of the Community Learning Partnership (CLP) preparing community college students to become the next generation of community organizers, advocates, and nonprofit leaders. CYLC collaborates with state and local partners to provide community change learn-and-earn career pathway fellowships across California.

Community Change Career Pathways

CYLC offers six statewide learn-and-earn pathways in high-impact fields — each one designed to address pressing local needs and prepare students for careers that strengthen their communities.

 

Public & Community Health

Through the Public & Community Health career pathway, community college students pursue a postsecondary credential, complete a nine-month paid work-based learning fellowship with community-based organizations, and develop skills in community health outreach, health equity organizing, and advocacy. Fellows work alongside community health workers and advocates to address the social determinants of health shaping their communities.



 

Community Planning & Economic Development

Through the Community Planning & Economic Development career pathway, community college students pursue a postsecondary credential, complete a nine-month paid work-based learning fellowship with community-based organizations, and develop skills in neighborhood planning, community development, and economic justice. Fellows organize alongside residents, engage local stakeholders, and advance equitable development in the communities they come from.


Community-Based Immigration Legal Services

Through the Community-Based Immigration Legal Services career pathway, community college students pursue a postsecondary credential, complete a nine-month paid work-based learning fellowship with DOJ-recognized community-based immigration legal services organizations, and receive specialized training in immigration law. Fellows build the skills to serve immigrant communities as advocates, practitioners, paralegals, legal assistants, and nonprofit leaders.



Environmental Justice & Sustainability

Through the Environmental Justice & Sustainability career pathway, community college students pursue a postsecondary credential, complete a nine-month paid work-based learning fellowship with community-based organizations, and develop the organizing, advocacy, and power-building skills that community change careers demand. Fellows deepen their knowledge of environmental justice, climate justice, and community-led solutions, and prepare for careers as advocates, organizers, and nonprofit leaders.



Leadership & Social Change 

Through the Leadership & Social Change career pathway, community college students pursue a postsecondary credential, complete a nine-month paid work-based learning fellowship with community-based organizations, and develop the organizing, advocacy, and leadership skills that community change careers demand. Fellows lead civic engagement efforts, advocacy projects, and community-based initiatives that build power in their local communities.



 

Language Justice & Interpretation

Through the Language Justice & Interpretation career pathway, community college students pursue a postsecondary credential, complete a nine-month paid work-based learning fellowship with nonprofit and community partners, and receive specialized training in Indigenous language interpretation. Fellows expand access to legal, health care, educational, and other critical services for Indigenous migrant communities across California.

Interested in Participating in CYLC?

CYLC is designed to serve community college students between the ages of 18-24.

Interested in enrolling in a CYLC program? Submit a CYLC interest form. 

For questions, please contact Alejandra Delgado, Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications at alejandra@communitylearningpartnership.org.

CYLC Career Pathways in Immigration

Preparing historically marginalized students to provide critical services to underserved immigrant communities.

CYLC is working with its nonprofit partners to create two new community change career pathways in the area of immigration: one in community-based immigration legal services and another in language justice. These career pathways will expand the number of well-trained paralegals, legal assistants, language interpreters, and nonprofit leaders in historically marginalized immigrant communities.

California Youth Leadership Corps Benefits

The CYLC model offers historically marginalized students unique educational and work-based learning opportunities that allow them to enter communities, change careers and thrive.

CYLC community change learn-and-earn career pathway programs are preparing youth with low incomes – including youth of color, opportunity youth, and immigrant youth – for community change careers. CYLC participants benefit from:

The CYLC model offers historically marginalized students unique educational and work-based learning opportunities that allow them to enter communities, change careers and thrive.

Gaining experience in a fellowship where they can be awarded up to $10,000 doing work that benefits their communities at nonprofit and social justice organizations who organize in communities with low incomes, communities of color, and provide critical services to immigrant communities.
Engaging in leadership development and mentoring activities
Learning community organizing skills
Receiving critical supports, including academic, social- emotional, and career advising supports to succeed

CYLC News and Resources

Hear about the impact CYLC has had on our students

Learn more about CYLC

Interested in learning more? Feel free to reach out and connect!

Rosa M. García, Ed.D.

Executive Director, Community Learning Partnership (CLP) and
California Youth Leadership Corps (CYLC)
Rosa@communitylearningpartnership.org

CYLC Interest Form

For more information, and to connect or partner with us, reach out!

CLP Interest Form

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