Quest for Democracy 2026

At Youth Leadership Institute, young people realize their power by learning to use their voices to create meaningful change. This workshop explores yli program "Concrete Rose" (San Francisco & Merced) and its implementation of Youth Participatory Action Research and Youth-led Participatory Defense in serving justice-impacted young people and their families. Presenters will break down the research youth leaders are implementing in San Francisco Juvenile Hall and the youth-led, multi-level system of support offered in Merced. Presenters will also share strategies for community mobilization, the disinvestment of resources from corporate entities and their reallocation to CBOs that serve populations most impacted by the carceral system.