Fresno County Action

Reinforce Youth-led Action on Alcohol Ordinance
YLI youth group leading the action: UFLY (Urban Fresno’s Leading Youth)

Summary: In communities all over the county, youth have been successfully advocating for ordinances that create consequences for party hosts when minors are served alcohol.  These social host ordinances are a key part of preventing alcohol problems. UFLY’s success in the City of Fresno has blazed the way for many other cities.

Actions: Thank the Fresno City Council for its leadership and keep the momentum going to ensure new ordinances are enforced. Click here to send a quick email.

Marin County Action

Keep Marin Youth Voices Alive
YLI youth group leading the action: Marin County Youth Commission

Summary: The Marin County Youth Commission serves as an advisory body to the Marin County Board of Supervisors and ensures youth voices are heard by county agencies, school districts and the community at large. It is one of the oldest and most well-regarded youth commissions in the country. That’s because they’re effective. With YLI’s support, Youth Commissioners have held YouthVote for thousands of high school students, squashed unconstitutional searches in a local middle school, and supported better school nutrition policies. But their funding is at risk.

Actions: Urge the Board of Supervisors to fund the Marin County Youth Commission, sustaining its impact in the community. Click here to send a quick email.

San Francisco County Action

Enforce Local Control on Liquor Stores for San Francisco Youth
YLI youth groups leading the action: San Francisco Community Action Live (SFCAL) & YouthPower

Summary: For 4 years, SFCAL, a YLI youth prevention council, has researched the impact of alcohol outlets on neighborhoods and proposed long-term sustainable solutions for creating safe environments. In 2006, SFCAL partnered with YouthPower to successfully advocate for a deemed approved use ordinance (DAO) that strengthens local control and holds liquor stores accountable to existing regulations relating to nuisance, loitering and illegal sales to minors. At the time, the Board of Supervisors passed it unanimously, but now questions around implementation are delaying its enforcement.

Actions: Take part in city wide efforts to educate merchants and residents across San Francisco about the terms of the ordinance. Email Jennifer Lyle at YLI.

San Mateo County Action

Stop Tobacco Sales to Youth in San Mateo County
Youth group leading the action: Youth Organizing San Mateo (YO!Mateo) and partnering FNL Chapters: Tobacco Use Prevention Educators and Stay Safe Youth Coalition

Summary: From over two years of surveys, YO!Mateo found that merchants in the city of San Mateo are selling cigarettes to teens at nearly twice the percentage as in the rest of California. The youth-led field survey found that underage buyers were able to purchase cigarettes from 24 percent of the merchants they visited in San Mateo, up from a 2005 survey, and consistent with purchase rates in found in Pacifica and Daly City. Turning this knowledge into action, YO!Mateo is working with officials and partnering with other youth advocates across the County to strengthen local tobacco retail license ordinances in order to hold merchants accountable and reduce youth access to tobacco.

Actions: Urge the County of San Mateo, and the cities of San Mateo, Daly City, and Pacifica to strengthen tobacco retail license ordinances. Click here to send in your endorsement.