OUR DUAL APPROACH: SUPPORT + ADVOCACY

Academic Excellence: College prep curriculum, tutoring, AP/honors course planning, test preparation

College Navigation: Personalized counseling, campus visits, application support, financial aid guidance

Family Engagement: Bilingual workshops, home visits, parent advisory councils, cultural celebrations

Material Support: Emergency funds, transportation, fee waivers, technology, professional clothing

Wellness & Belonging: Mental health support, peer community, identity development, cultural affirmation

Track 1: Direct Student Support (Grades 9-12)

Educational equity curriculum: understanding how systems create inequality

Public speaking and storytelling workshops

Attending school board and city council meetings as observers

Research projects on local education policies

Connecting personal experiences to broader systemic issues

Developing and leading advocacy campaigns on issues students identify

Testifying at school board meetings and city council hearings

Organizing community forums and town halls

Building coalitions with other student groups and community organizations

Media engagement: writing op-eds, speaking to press, using social media

Senior capstone: Leading a campaign that creates measurable policy change

9th-10th Grade: Building Awareness & Skills

11th-12th Grade: Taking Action & Leading Change

Demand youth programs and safe spaces in underserved areas

Advocate for living wage ordinances for working families

Push for community benefits agreements in development projects

School Climate & Safety

Promote restorative justice over punitive discipline

Increase mental health services and culturally responsive counseling

Address school safety through community investment, not criminalization

Ensure all students know their rights under AB 540 and California Dream Act

Fight to protect and expand financial aid access for undocumented students

Create sanctuary school policies

Expand automatic FAFSA filing in California high schools

Strengthen California College Promise Grant protections

Advocate for increased Cal Grant funding and eligibility

Demand increased counselor hiring to reach 250:1 ratios

Advocate for equitable AP course offerings across all schools

Push for college prep programs in under-resourced schools

Students will lead campaigns addressing