Youth Leadership
Young people of color set the agenda. Adults follow our lead.
About YUCA
A youth-led home for organizing, leadership, and community power.
Founded in 1994 by young people of color, YUCA helps East Palo Alto youth learn organizing, join real campaigns, and grow into decision-makers.
Mission
A safe space where youth organize for environmental and social justice.
YUCA is a grassroots nonprofit created, led, and run with young people of color from low-income communities in East Palo Alto. The work is simple to explain and powerful to practice: learn together, organize together, and change conditions together.
Community First
We organize with EPA residents, not for them. Our power is collective.
Justice Now
Environmental, housing, and racial justice are inseparable.
Healing & Joy
We build a movement that holds rage and love, struggle and celebration.
Why join
Three decades of youth power. A new generation is next.
30+
Years of organizing
150+
Core youth organizers trained
650+
Youth members supported
250+
Workshops and toxic tours led
A few milestones
Built through real campaigns and community wins.
1994
YUCA founded by young people of color in East Palo Alto.
1997
Higher Learning launches to create a safe space for high school youth to examine and act on community issues.
2010
Strategic planning renews YUCA's commitment to environmental and social change, youth organizing, and basebuilding.
2014
YUCA helps win an Affordable Housing Linkage Fee and a Tenant Protection Ordinance in East Palo Alto.
Ready to connect?