Everyday young people are writing success stories. Learn more about their impact in the community, contact our media relations department.

Major Initiatives and Recent Successes:
• Youth Grantmakers in Marin, San Mateo and San Francisco County have awarded more than $250,000 in funds to youth-led projects and programs.
• Youth activists in YLI’s four key counties have collectively led dozens of successful policy advocacy efforts on municipal and county levels, including most recently:
• YLI’s San Francisco youth prevention council, San Francisco Community Action Live, researched the impact of alcohol outlets on local neighborhoods over two years. In 2006, SFCAL youth spearheaded and won passage of a city-wide deemed approved ordinance to strengthen local control and hold liquor stores more accountable.
• In Marin County, the Marin County Youth Commission, coordinated by YLI, successfully pushed for schools to adopt nutrition and wellness plans by the 06-07 school year, and is continuing to work to ensure youth have a voice in the implementation of the plans.
• In 2006, YLI’s youth-led San Mateo County prevention group organized a coalition to advocate for a tougher tobacco-retailer permit ordinance. Young people conducted a community assessment which found underage tobacco buying at all time highs, revealing a need for tighter restrictions and stronger enforcement regarding tobacco sales to minors.
• In Fresno County, YLI’s prevention youth councils are successfully advocating for social host ordinances, which fine adults for underage drinkers at their residences.

Year of Founding: 1989 (incorporated in 1991)

Founder, president and CEO: Maureen A. Sedonaen
Maureen is a nationally recognized authority in the fields of Youth Leadership and Youth Development. In 1989, Maureen founded the Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) and currently serves as the organization’s President and Chief Executive Officer. She spearheaded the creation of YLI’s unique community-based institute model, where field learnings inform curriculum development and training. Beyond YLI, Maureen is the immediate past Board President for the Marin Institute and a Board Member for the California Prevention Collaborative. She is an advisor to the Forum for Youth Investment, a national think tank on youth development. She has taught university level courses in Youth Development, Prevention, and Public Policy, as well as published numerous articles and contributed to several books. She is an accomplished keynote speaker, trainer, and consultant in Philanthropy, Public Policy, and Youth Advocacy. Maureen has received the State of California Governor’s Award of Recognition for developing youth programs that truly empower young people; a Congressional Award of Innovation for her youth leadership and development work; and the National Association of Alcohol & Drug Administrator’s Career Achievement Prevention Award.

Geographic Reach: National and statewide training and consulting services, research and evaluation services, and youth development and civic engagement programs in key California counties: Fresno, Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo.

Number of Employees: 31

Annual Budget: $3.23 million

YLI Media Relations
Kim Freiberger
(415) 455-1676
Ext: 231
kfreiberger@yli.org

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YLI History The story of our youth-centered journey.

YLI Fact Sheet Read all about the Institue's unique programs and approaches.