In this issue: CCY Members-Only Conference Calls :: 2012 Taking Action Conference – Superhero Style :: Amazing Year for Youth Crisis Line :: SB 119 (Lowenthal) Update :: Leave a Comment
CCY Members-Only Monthly Conference Call Series to Launch October!
As part of our enhanced new member benefits package, we are launching a members-only educational conference call/webinar series. Calls are scheduled for the second Thursday of every month from 10:00a – 11:30a beginning in October. The series will offer CCY members an opportunity to hear directly from our lobbyist and staff about critical youth-focused legislation, policy issues, what CCY is doing about them, and how you can get involved!
The first call is scheduled on Thursday, October 13, 2011. Our guests, Hellan Dowden and Kim Lewis of HR Dowden & Associates will provide members with a comprehensive legislative update, including what is and isn’t heading to the Governor’s desk. This session will offer plenty of time for questions and discussion with Hellan, Kim and CCY Executive Director, Heather Dearing. Also to be discussed: activities planned for November’s Runaway and Homeless Youth Month.
Download full CCY members-only conference call schedule.
RSVP for October’s call (must be a current CCY member in good standing to participate). Members at every level are welcome to join our monthly conference calls – so join today!
Download our new printable membership brochure to learn more about membership levels and benefits.
2012 Taking Action Conference – Superhero Style (help us pick a title!)
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for our 2012 annual Taking Action Conference! We are so excited to once again bring together youth advocates and service providers, state legislators, and amazing youth from across California for an exciting mix of fun, leadership development and advocacy. Register for the conference today and book your room ASAP for big savings!
Coming up with a theme for the annual Taking Action conference is always a fun and challenging endeavor. Last year’s “Survivors” theme (Empowering youth to OUTPLAY, OUTWIT & OUTLAST life’s challenges) lent itself to an incredibly fun and inspiring program. We want to make sure our 2012 meeting is just as exciting, so we’re thinking superheroes!
As superhero blockbusters continue to dominate at the box office – with 4 superhero films just released in the last few months and more on the horizon – the theme couldn’t be more timely or appropriate. Our goal is to design the conference and program to help empower attendees by reflecting many superhero themes, including power and politics, teamwork, independence, holding true to yourself, and asserting your voice. But we need your help to help us come up with a good title! Here’s a few we’ve been kicking around in the office:
“California Youth Powers Activate!” (a riff on the WonderTwins slogan)
“Not All Superheroes Wear Capes”
“Time to Be Your Own Superhero”
“You Don’t Need Super Powers to be a Superhero”
Vote on your favorite conference title! If you like any of the proposed titles above, or if you have your own suggestions, post your comments below or email us at membership@calyouth.org.
When: April 15-17, 2012
Where: Embassy Suites Sacramento
General Agenda:
- Sunday, April 15 – Art Gallery, Opening Session, Awards Dinner, Silent Auction Open, Youth Space
- Monday, April 16 – Opening Keynote Speaker, Workshop Sessions, Art Gallery, Policy & Advocacy Breakout Sessions, General Membership Meeting, Silent Auction Closes, Dance
- Tuesday, April 17 – General Session with Breakfast, March to Capitol, Rally at the Capitol, Legislative Visits
Click here to visit the 2012 Taking Action Conference web pages and register today!
Become a member of CCY today for even more savings on conference registration! Learn more about membership and benefits here.
An Amazing Year for the California Youth Crisis Line!
Did you know that the California Youth Crisis Line (CYCL) is the direct-service program of the California Coalition for Youth? Last year, the CYCL received nearly 24,000 calls from youth and families throughout the state who were looking for help or someone to talk to. We have more than doubled our team of crisis counselors to meet the steadily increasing call volume. In 2010-2011, we trained and added 51 new volunteer crisis counselors to the 24-hour helpline.
For over two decades, CYCL counselors have been listening to and empowering callers. One of our goals through the crisis line is to listen to each caller with a compassionate ear and empower them by helping them talk through their troubles and decide which steps to take moving forward. One way we do this is by offering referrals to local resources.
We provide a safe, non-judgmental space for every caller. Whether a caller is talking about family issues, relationship issues, depression, school issues, sexuality, drugs/alcohol, or mental health, everyone needs to feel like they matter and are capable of making their own decisions — and no one needs to feel that more than our youth.
If you want to help empower youth please consider volunteering with our Sacramento-based California Youth Crisis Line, making a donation or becoming a member of the California Coalition for Youth. CCY members can request a custom CYCL data analysis for their area.
SB 119 (Lowenthal) Update
During this legislative session, CCY and the John Burton Foundation are cosponsoring SB 119 (Lowenthal), a bill aimed at creating a specific category of statewide regulations for emergency youth shelters. The bill has received significant legislative support during its journey through the legislative process, receiving no opposing votes.
After meeting with staff from the California Department of Social Services (DSS), it was decided that pursuing the creation of a new category might be more efficiently accomplished through the regulatory process, rather than the legislative one. To that end, the we are collaborating with DSS and are in the process of sharing all of our background research, data and recommendations with DSS staff in hopes that we can begin the regulatory change process with input from stakeholders, including youth, throughout the state.
To stay up-to-date on these activities and processes, and to be informed about next steps, please send an email to advocacy@calyouth.org with “SB 119” in the subject line.
Leave a Reply