Youth Leadership
Community Youth Center's (CYC) API Youth Leadership Council (APIYLC) creating Air Quality Flyers for tabling events
At Brightline, we believe that empowering future leaders within frontline communities is one of the strongest ways to create change. We partner with community groups to create opportunities for underserved youth to learn more about their environment; lead local projects; and build the skills to engage with public policymakers. These leadership programs offer young people training and intensive involvement in community issues and services, empowering them to become effective leaders and spokespeople for their communities.
If you are a student, teacher, or counselor who wants to stay in the loop as we build out new youth programming, please fill out this interest form.
Brightline’s current youth partnership programs include:
AIR QUALITY youth program
BRIGHTLINE FELLOWSHIPS
Air Quality Youth Program
CYC Youth Leaders giving a community workshop at Willie “Woo Woo” Wong Playground Clubhouse
Brightline works with the Community Youth Center (CYC) of San Francisco and their API Youth Leadership Council (APIYLC) to provide environmental justice education for Asian Pacific Islander youth leaders and increase community knowledge and engagement around local air quality issues.
Representing high schools across San Francisco, APIYLC students become leaders for environmental justice through our curriculum covering air quality, access to green space, local governance, STEM career pathways and field trips. By combining leadership development, civic engagement, and environmental justice, APIYLC empowers youth to advocate for equity, sustainability, and the well-being of the Asian community.
Learn more about this work in the Brightline Podcast episode featuring CYC Youth Leader Ken Chen. Ken speaks about his work educating senior citizens about air quality issues and how Brightline inspired him to pursue environmental science in school. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Brightline Fellowships
Brightline Policy Fellows taking part in a Lobby Day in Sacramento
Brightline is committed to creating opportunities for future environmental justice and policy leaders through our fellowship program. Hosted as three distinct cycles (Spring, Summer, Fall) each year, our fellowship program supports undergraduates in obtaining critical skills while contributing to Brightline’s policy priorities.
If you are interested in learning more about our fellowships and other internship opportunities, please click on the button below to fill out the fellowship or volunteer interest form.