Youth Connect
Peer Leadership

Kareem (Gunn ‘26) has been part of the Peer Leaderhip program at YCS since 9th grade and is continuing as a Peer Leader this year. Kareem won the Youth Connect Peer Leadership Award. 

“At YCS’ Community Impact Exhibit, our group finally presented our project to a large scale crowd, and we finally were able to take the plans we had and execute them in full fruition. I was asked to speak at this event, and I had a full speech written out, ready to present to hundreds of people, but when I went to speak, I put my phone down, and I started to talk. Talk about the Art Show. The 9/11 Day of Service. Christmas in the Park. Meeting new friends and colleagues and establishing healthy relationships, giving back to a community that's helped me out for so long, and the jokes and laughter I experienced as a Peer Leader are memories that I'll cherish for then, for now, and for later.”

Evan (Gunn ‘25) has been a part of the Peer Leadership program at YCS since 11th grade and is continuing as a Peer Leader this year. Evan won the Youth Connect Peer Leadership Award. 

“YCS has provided me with an opportunity to expand my hands-on environmental-biology knowledge, as well as grow my leadership skills, shaping me into a more resilient, collaborative, communicator. Both my patience and understanding of others' opinions and ideas has grown, and I feel better prepared for unexpected circumstances where I have to make decisions on my own or for the group without adult direction. I am thankful for this opportunity to connect with like minded peers who have similar goals and aspirations for the environment as I do, and not only have I grown as a person through YCS, but I have also enjoyed my time and made strong, lasting connections with the fellow-peers I volunteer with.”

Amanda (Mountain View ‘25) has been a part of the Peer Leadership program at YCS since 11th grade and is continuing as a Peer Leader this year. Amanda won the Youth Connect Peer Leadership Award. 

“Then in September, I was greeted with the opportunity to turn my vision into an event through Youth Community Service. During our initial YCS meeting, I was overjoyed to find that my peers were interested and enthusiastic to pursue my vision. As we worked and got closer to one another, I grew so close to my fellow track members and it warms my heart to think about how I unknowingly gained a passionate work community while striving to strengthen our larger local community together. The support and camaraderie within the Youth Community Service Program have been invaluable to me, and I am grateful for the role it has played in my personal growth and happiness.”

Jazmine (Mountain View ‘25) has been a part of the Peer Leadership program at YCS since 11th grade and is continuing as a Peer Leader this year. Jazmine won the Youth Connect Peer Leadership Award. 

“Working together with peers in Youth Connect felt so empowering. Knowing that others in my community had the same values of environmental sustainability inspired me to take the initiative to reach our group’s goals. I worked on things like making creative flyers for our Trash2Art events, writing an excerpt for the East Palo Alto City Update for our Trash Clean Up, creating and updating our GroupChat about important information and dates, and helping lead our Trash Clean-Ups in Mitchell Park and San Francisquito Creek. I shared my ideas on things as minor as food options and ideas as impactful as creating a mural from the trash we collected. Through YCS, I’ve learned how fun and rewarding volunteering can be. I’ve learned valuable skills of leadership and collaboration. I am so grateful to experience the joy of volunteering in a group setting, and I can’t wait to continue for the upcoming school year!”

Rose (Notre Dame ‘25) has been a part of Peer Leadership program at YCS since 10th grade, and participated in multiple Summer of Services, they are continuing as a Peer Leader this year. Rose has received both the President’s Volunteer Service Award and the Youth Connect Peer Leadership Award. 

“I began my leadership journey at YCS in the summer of 2022. I worked to promote Public Health, at the time the track was called Umoja. We collected survey data from community members mainly in East Palo Alto and we helped out at COVID-19 vaccination clinics. I put my Spanish language skills to use and learned how to speak up and be heard as well as be compassionate so community members would feel understood. At the start of the program, I was very shy, but after practicing I pushed myself out of my comfort zone knocking on doors to spread factual information and cold-calling people to convince them to come to the weekly clinics. Overall, YCS has changed how I view other people and service as a whole. I have learned so much, overcome so many obstacles, and discovered more about myself. I have stepped into community leadership roles and tackled the hard conversations, such as public health, discrimination, and gentrification with my peers.”

Jhanavi (Mountain View ‘25) has been part of Peer Leadership program at YCS since 11th grade, she is continuing as an Advocate this year. Jhanavi has received both the President’s Volunteer Service Award and the Youth Connect Peer Leadership Award. 

“Through Y.C.S., I have learned invaluable skills, both interpersonally and professionally. For example, working with people of diverse ages and backgrounds has taught me to become a more effective communicator. Whether it is through speaking on the work Sprout has accomplished at tabling events, instructing volunteers during clean-up events, or conversing with officials of various organizations, I have acquired the ability to articulate my ideas clearly. For another example, being involved in planning logistics has taught me the various systems behind holding an event, such as applying for grants, reaching out to city leaders, budgeting, and more. These skills will ultimately aid me as I continue to be a leader in my community.”