Community Leadership & Advocacy Groups
Select a Before & After School Program below to learn more
Advocates for Change Today (ACT)
Advocates for Change Today, or ACT, is a youth-led initiative launched by SAY San Diego to improve community health, safety, and substance abuse awareness among youth. It’s a year-round effort made up of youth leaders between ages 12 and 16, and a subset of our larger Alcohol, Tobacco, & Other Drug Prevention program.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Name: Rocio M. Hernandez
Email: rocio.hernandez@saysandiego.org
Phone: 619-283-9624 x368
ELEVATED
Elevated students participate in leadership opportunities, public speaking trainings, camp retreats, and much more. Along with becoming active members in their community, students develop friendships with students from high schools across San Diego County by attending monthly Friday Night Live meetings. Members can also earn community service hours, learn the importance of civic engagement, and receive letters of recommendation.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Name: Stacy Chiles
Email: schiles@saysandiego.org
Phone: 858-496-8342 ext 230
Parent Student Resident Organization
Founded in 2012, Parent-Student-Resident Organization (PSRO) creates meaningful resident engagement around issues including education policy, student health, and leadership development for City Heights families. The PSRO primarily aims to improve family health and language access through community and school-based family health services.
PSRO Successes:
- Advocated for increased funding for two additional counselors at Crawford High School, plus one more counselor at Mann Middle School to assist with growing student needs.
- PSRO parents have gained a stronger leadership ability and deeper understanding of school funding, allowing them to make their voices truly heard.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Name: Dan Nyamangah
Email: dnyamangah@saysandiego.org
Phone: 619-362-3751
The Collective
This coalition of San Diego LGBTQ+ youth and young adults (ages 17-26) works to prevent tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs from impacting the LGBTQ+ community . Through education, outreach, and advocacy, we educate, advocate and influence public policy to create a healthier San Diego.
Services Included:
- Provide space and technical support through trainings, guest speakers, and engagement with community leaders.
- Connections to local other LGBTQ+ services.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Name: Meesh Mori
Email: Meesh.Mori@saysandiego.org
Phone: 619-283-9624
Link to sign up: PDForm (jotform.com)
Website: www.thecollectivecoalitionsandiego.org
Anonymous form for inquiries: https://www.freesuggestionbox.com/pub/jmleuyq
What I Wish My Parents Knew
What I Wish My Parents Knew is a county-wide safety, health, and wellness initiative aimed at supporting communities with a local forum. Communities are motivated to identify issues which impact their youth through targeted workshops, before addressing those issues directly through SAY San Diego resources, field experts, and gathering support of fellow youth, adults, and local leaders.
Services Include:
- Workshops for conflict communication and resolution
- Youth training through respective clubs
CONTACT INFORMATION
Name: Monica Moon, Shannon Stracener, Stacy Chiles
Email: monica.moon@saysandiego.org, sstracener@saysandiego.org, schiles@saysandiego.org
City Heights Clean and Safe Youth Coalition
An advocacy program for youth between 6th-12th grade who live in the City Heights area. Youth will participate in community clean-ups, events, advocacy, and other activities to improve the safety and cleanliness in our community. Youth will be able to organize their own clean-ups, assist in community events, advocate for their community, and learn about issues impacting the City Heights community. Individuals may receive volunteer hours, letters of recommendation, and incentives!
CONTACT INFORMATION
Name: Julieta Ornelas
Email: julieta.ornelasmorales@saysandiego.org
Phone: 619-301-7194