HOPE’s Youth Action Board (YAB) is a group of community leaders between the ages of 14-18 within HOPE Collaborative who work together to create better conditions for people living in Oakland. YAB provides opportunities for youth to develop skills in advocacy, grassroots community engagement, storytelling, communications, and organizing, while deepening knowledge of food and environmental justice. ​

Are you ready to envision a healthier, more just future for Oakland?
Why Join?

• Community Focus: Learn how food systems and environmental justice impact Oakland, your neighborhood, and the people you care about.
• Historical Insight: Discover the powerful histories of collaboration and resilience that have shaped the fight for food access and environmental justice in Oakland.
• Active Engagement: Participate in food distributions and connect with local community members, gaining hands-on experience in serving your community.
• Leadership Development: Collaborate with peers to create and implement solutions for a more just and sustainable Oakland. Develop leadership, advocacy, and communication skills through active participation and project work.

Watch the video above to learn more about YAB from the 2022-2023 YAB cycle.

Join our next Youth Action Board!

The application for the 2025-2026 has ended. If you have applied, be on the lookout for communication from HOPE!

 Fill out our YAB interest form to be contacted for the next YAB session. 
Interested in learning more? Contact Citlalli at [email protected]

Past Youth Action Board Projects

Water Justice

The Youth Action Board focused on projects related to water justice, including access to clean drinking water to improve personal health, as well as clean water systems in Oakland creeks, watersheds, and shorelines. The youth led an Earth Day volunteer clean up with their peers in collaboration with Friends of Sausal Creek and picked ups tons of trash found inside the creek. 
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In addition to leading this action, the Youth created and produced a zine focused on the importance of clean water, led an art contest with Oakland students to advocate for clean water and environmental responsibility, and petitioned for an increase of water refill stations at Oakland parks. 

Images: YAB cleaning Sausal Creek