Marin
Youth Leadership Institute was founded and officially launched in Marin County in 1991. Since then, our office has undergone many changes and iterations. Today, it is staffed by passionate individuals with a deep love and genuine care for the health and well-being of young people. Each staff member has a unique story that has brought them to this work to see, hear, care, and love the youth of Marin.Ā
With the belief that impacted youth should be at the center of community change work as our starting point, yli is committed to serving all young people, especially Black, Indigenous, and other youth of color.
Our school-based programs are heavily focused on substance use prevention, specifically through the Friday Night Live (FNL) framework, an evidence-based approach that centers the physical and emotional safety of youth as fundamental to youth-led action. Staff lead school-based and community-based programs across Marin County including: The Marin County Youth Commission (MCYC), Marin Organizing for Racial Equity (MORE), the Novato Youth Community Program, Marin Oaks FNL, Hamilton Club Live, and Venetia Valley Club Live.Ā
Check out our programs below to learn more about what we do!Ā
Current Programs
Timeline of Wins in Marin
Novato youth host roundtables on substance use and wellness centers
The Novato Community Program held roundtables on Substance Use and Wellness Centers, where peer to peer conversations identified a lack of awareness around substance use and mental health in elementary … Continued
Marcos Vega (Marin Organizing for Racial Equity) is awarded Youth Volunteer of the Year at the Heart of Marin Awards
3 yli youth nominated for the Heart of Marin Youth Volunteer of the Year Award
Jessica Mendieta (Co-Chair), Annika Parmar (Community Relations Officer) and Sammy Lee (Co-Chair) from the Marin County Youth Commission nominated for the Heart of Marin Youth Volunteer of the Year Award!
Disability Justice sub-committee hosts 4 disability justice workshops for Marin Programs Winter Celebration!
yli youth organize walk outs in support of Palestine
Since October 2023, youth in Marin Organizing for Racial Equity have been organizing walk outs from school in support of Palestine. In addition, youth have been attending the Board of … Continued
Marin Oaks youth host a campus wide event to introduce their new wellness hub
The purpose of this event was to make students aware of the space, what services it provides, and how to access it on a daily basis. They also collaborated with … Continued
A new Club Live Chapter starts at Davidson Middle School
Marin County Youth Commissioners promote mental health and wellness resources
Marin County Youth Commissioners volunteer with the Marin Behavioral Health and Recovery Services and table at Marin Pride (hosted by the Spahr Center) to promote Mental Health & Wellness Resources
The Marin County Board of Supervisors President Stephanie Peters swears in 23 youth commissioners for the 2023-2024 term
These include: Cole Greene, Sammy Lee, Jessica Mendieta, Walt Novosardian, Annika Parmar, Marguerite Walden-Kaufman, Roshan Belani, Xophia Cabello, Franccesca Calle La Bou, Annie Carmona, Alex Fooman, Caroline Foster,Tara Fullerton, Maya … Continued
Marin youth host Social Justice Retreat
Youth host Venetia Valley PRIDE Week
Marin County Youth Commission Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD) Subcommittee hosts Narcan training
The youth trained 437 people, majority teens and young adults, on how to use Narcan and recognize an overdose, and distributed 200 Narcan kits.
Hamilton Middle School hosts Earth Day Event
Marin Oaks Friday Night Live chapter establishes the first ever school wellness center
The students’ goal was to create a multipurpose wellness space where students could feel safe and supported. This space is also a place where they can find resources, hygiene products, … Continued
Marin County Youth Commission Mental Health subcommittee hosts the Marin Wellness Festival
157 people registered for the event, including 85 youth and 72 adults. The Festival featured 8 amazing and interactive workshops, 13 community organizations at the Resource Fair, 50+ submissions to … Continued
Marin County Youth Commission partners with the Marin County Elections Department to train youth commissioners on how to host voter registration drives
Marin County Youth Commission partners with Marin County Parks to create a survey for youth that will help identify the barriers of accessing parks
Novato Youth Advocacy Council successfully advocates for a new district wide student dress code
Marin County Youth Commission hosts 3rd Annual Mental Health Festival
Youth and adult allies are invited to come together to learn about ways to support positive mental health.
Marin County Youth Commissioner Selected for Jared Huffman Summer Internship Program
Marin youth successfully advocate for Ethnic Studies
The Marin County Youth Commission education committee submits a resolution to the Marin County Office of Education to support the implementation of Ethnic Studies in Marin schools.
Marin youth host 2nd annual mental health summit
Marin County Youth Commission host the second annual mental health summit, bringing together 50 youth via Zoom!
Marin County Youth Commissioners Publish a Letter to the Editor
Youth Commissioners Colette Holcomb and Scarlett Goh share their experiences of designing, organizing and implementing the annual Peer Youth Summit in this letter to the editor, published in the Marin Independent Journal.
Marin Youth Commission Hosts Virtual Youth Mental Health Summit
On May 1st, the Marin County Youth Commission held a virtual summit for 50 youths aged 14-20 from 22 different schools across Marin and 2 schools from the greater Bay Area.
Youth update educational video on vaping
Youth updated the San Marin TUPE education video to help educate their peers about the effects of vaping.
Students implement wellness survey during COVID-19
Students create a wellness survey at Marin Oaks High School with the purpose of identifying mental and financial hardships caused by COVID-19.
Marin yli youth receive COVID-19 care packages
All yli youth receive a care package in May and December of 2020.
Venetia Valley students host virtual Pride event
Venetia Valley youth plan and lead a virtual PRIDE event. Students moderated a panel to learn more about the LGBTQ experience.
yli hosts the 33rd annual Peer Summit
yli hosts the 33rd annual Peer Summit for over 150 middle school students across the county.
Student advocacy council successfully advocates for a student lounge
yli staff partnered with youth and staff to design and create a student lounge for all students at Hamilton.
Youth host 1st annual Mental Health Summit
Marin County Youth Commission hosts their first mental health summit, bringing together over 100 community members to learn more about the state of youth mental health in Marin.
Youth Leader Loughlin Browne Wins Heart-of-Marin Volunteer of the Year Award
Loughlin Browne was recognized at the annual Heart of Marin award ceremony for her outstanding service in the community of Marin.
Novato Social Host Ordinance Amended
Marin County Social Host Ordinance Expansion Passes
Novato Bans Styrofoam Containers
Novato Unified Changes Policies to Make LGBTQQ Students More Safe
In 2011 YLI’s Marin County Youth Commission (MCYC) released a reportĀ titled āSafe and Healthy School Environments for Allā. The report was based on the findings of a youth-led survey that … Continued
San Rafael Bans Styrofoam Containers
Board of Supervisors Pass Resolution to Recognize National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Novato School Board Limits Alcohol Promotion at Events
San Rafael School Board Limits Alcohol Promotion at Events
San Rafael School District Changes Policies to Make LGBTQQ Students More Safe
San Rafael Resolution Establishes Alcopop-Free Zone
Novato Resolution Establishes Alcopop-Free Zone
Novato Restricts Unhealthy Food Truck Access
YLI youth work for six years to get Mobile Truck Policy win.
Tamalpais Union High School District Limits Alcohol Sponsorship at School Events
County Bans Single-use Plastic Bags
County Bans Styrofoam Containers
San Rafael Adopts Alcohol Sponsorship and Service Guidelines for City Events
Novato Unified School District Revises Alcohol Policy
Novato Unified Adopts Healthy and Local Food Policy
County Restricts Access and Advertising ofAlcohol at Public Events
Fairfax Bans Styrofoam Containers
Larkspur Passes Social Host Ordinance
Tiburon Bans Styrofoam Containers
Mill Valley Bans Styrofoam Containers
County Youth Commission Seeks Greater Public Transportation Access
Sausalito Social Host Ordinance Amended
Mill Valley Social Host Ordinance Amended
Ross Social Host Ordinance Amended
Belvedere Passes Social Host Ordinance
Corte Madera Passes Social Host Ordinance
Novato and San Rafael School Districts Adopt Wellness Policy
Sausalito Bans Styrofoam Containers
San Rafael Social Host Ordinance Passes
Fairfax Social Host Ordinance Amended
San Anselmo Social Host Ordinance Amended
Tiburon Social Host Ordinance Amended
Marin County Youth Commission Passes Justice for Jena Six Resolution
Social Host Ordinance Amended
Ordinance Bans Alcohol Sponsorships of Municipal Events
Marin County Social Host Ordinance Passes
Youth Commission Presents School Nutrition Policy Recommendations
Miller Brewing Replaced as Title Sponsor of Marin County Fair
The Play Fair Coalition made history in the fair industry by changing the title sponsor of the Marin County Fair and replacing the 6-year sponsor, Miller Brewing.Ā