YD Programs - League of Women Voters of Oakland

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Read About YOUth DECIDE Program Accomplishments and Highlights

2024-25 YOUth Decide Year End Report

2023-2024 YOUth DECIDE Year End Report

YOUth DECIDE Resources

YOUth DECIDE Who We Are; What We Do

YOUth DECIDE Student Volunteers

Contact Us: youth-decide@lwvoakland.org

Teachers Lead the Way!

From Alexandria Osei-Amoako, The College Preparatory School:

As the Dean of Equity and Belonging at the College Preparatory School in Oakland, California, in community with other adults on campus, I work to help students understand themselves as engaged citizens of the Bay Area and the greater world.

We cultivate this by inviting community experts like the League of Women Voters Oakland's YOUth DECIDE committee, politicians, activists and artists to our campus to conduct workshops, set up voter registration booths, sit on panels and lead discussions with our students to share how they can engage politically—even those not yet able to vote.

We also offer opt-in learning spaces through our open classroom series, under topics such as "Speech Now" and "Democracy Under Duress.” These spaces allow students to explore democratic principles and current events in community with one another and through points that feel accessible and interesting.

When students leave our campus, we want them to carry not just knowledge, but the confidence to participate meaningfully in shaping the world they want to see.

Mitzy_Valdes.Street_Academy.Photo.IMG_3563_1_.jpg

From Mitzy Valdes, Street Academy:

Civic engagement is an important part of our society, and a powerful experience. There are many ways for community members to participate in American democracy.

Learning about these options and starting a routine of engagement as a young person will encourage adulthood participation.

At our school, we work to support various forms of civic engagement for students and staff, including contacting elected officials and arranging a field trip for students to go vote in person. Voter education is a part of English and History instruction.

Resources and support from YOUth DECIDE and the League of Women Voters of Oakland have been really helpful. Our high school students easily responded to and are engaged with the materials.

What Students Told Us They Learned About Voting

YOUth DECIDE has been giving civic education presentations to 9th to 12th grade classes at Oakland high schools
from 2018 to the present, including Bishop O'Dowd, Castlemont, College Preparatory School, Fremont,
Oakland School for the Arts, Oakland Tech, Skyline, and Street Academy.

After the presentations, we asked students what they learned about voting
from the presentations and what issues they are concerned about.

Join Our YOUth DECIDE Team

Teachers inspire teenagers every day.

The League of Women Voters includes many current and retired teachers and members from a variety of backgrounds, who are committed to and passionate about teaching students about voter registration, voter education and get out the vote efforts in a wide range of Oakland schools and community colleges.

Join us and help expand our program! To volunteer, please email youth-decide@lwvoakland.org.