YCLP empowers student leaders to speak out on social justice and education issues, becoming catalysts for change as they fight for the resources needed to prepare for college and sustainable careers.

The Young Civic Leaders Program (YCLP) is a leadership development program created by United Way of Greater Los Angeles to give LAUSD high school students the opportunity to speak out on the education issues that affect their communities and schools.

$30M

SHIFTED

Student input helped shift $30M of LAUSD's budget toward counseling support for historically underserved students.

3,000

STUDENTS

In 2014, students launched the L.A. Youth Vote initiative, which engaged more than 3,000 students on the importance of voting in local school board elections.

1,500

HIGH SCHOOLERS

We partnered with YVote to register 1,500 high school students to vote before the March 7 L.A. primary election.

My name is Katherine Trejo, and I manage the Young Civic Leaders Program at United Way of Greater Los Angeles. As a Salvadoran American born in Los Angeles and raised in Historic Filipinotown, I understand the challenges and successes that our public schools, communities, and families face. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz with a B.A. in Politics and Latin American/Latino Studies, I was determined to make a career in improving the experience for students of color within my community.

In 2016, I found my path with United Way of Greater Los Angeles. Here, I work directly with students to uplift their voice in decision-making that pertains to their education and their future through the Young Civic Leaders Program. Not only do these students participate in advocacy work and leadership education, but throughout their journey, we also provide support services to students and their families in financial literacy, assistance with college supplies, personal statement coaching, letters of recommendation, and when possible, grant scholarships. We truly are dedicated to making sure students in our program are receiving the support they need.