“I learned that we all as a community have power,” she said. “If you see something wrong, you can go and make a change.”

-Tamar

Six weeks earlier, dozens of young people walked through the doors of Coleman Advocates for Children & Youth ready for another summer.

Six weeks later, many of those same students stood inside San Francisco City Hall, confidently sharing their concerns with city leaders—and even had the opportunity to speak with Mayor Daniel Lurie.

That confidence didn’t happen overnight.

This summer, Coleman Advocates reimagined its Summer Program, expanding it from two weeks to six and, for the first time, bringing middle school and high school members together in one shared experience. The goal wasn’t simply to offer more activities. It was to give young people more time to build relationships, develop leadership skills, and discover the power of their own voices.

“We historically only ran a two-week summer program,” explained Lead Organizer Angie. “This year we were extra intentional about doing it for six weeks.” For the first time, middle school and high school students learned alongside one another, creating opportunities for peer mentorship and collaboration that Coleman had never offered before.

That intentionality shaped every part of the summer.

Every workshop, every discussion, and every field trip was designed with a purpose. Throughout the six weeks, members explored issues affecting their communities, learned about topics often overlooked in school, practiced professional skills like résumé writing and interviewing, and prepared to confidently engage with elected officials.

Even the adventures had a deeper purpose.

On the ropes course, students faced fears and discovered they were capable of more than they thought. Kayaking challenged them to trust one another and work as a team. Visiting the Black Panther Party Museum encouraged them to think critically about history, justice, and the role young people can play in creating change. Every experience helped build the confidence they would eventually carry with them to the steps of City Hall.

For Anaya, the lessons were just as personal as they were educational.

She shared that the ropes course taught her to face her fear of heights, while kayaking reinforced the importance of teamwork. During a visit to the Black Panther Party Museum, she was inspired to learn about the many women whose contributions to the movement are often left out of history books.

Returning YMAC member Darlin reflected on how much the program has helped him grow over the years.

“I like to meet new people and try to push myself out there,” he said. Throughout the summer, he strengthened his communication skills, learned how to write a résumé, practiced interviewing, and continued growing into someone who feels more confident advocating for himself and others.

Recent graduate Tamar said one of her favorite parts of the program was that every week brought something new.

“If you keep the same topic, it kind of gets boring as a youth,” she said. “Every week is different… you leave this summer program learning at least one new thing.” She especially appreciated learning about financial literacy, food deserts, and other community issues that she said were never covered in school.

As the weeks went on, it became clear that every lesson was leading toward one final experience.

Students spent time discussing the issues they cared about most, learning how local government works, and practicing how to effectively engage with decision-makers. By the time the final week arrived, they weren’t simply preparing for another field trip—they were preparing to put six weeks of learning into action.

When the group arrived at San Francisco City Hall, members confidently spoke with city leaders about the issues affecting their communities, putting their preparation into practice. During their visit, Mayor Daniel Lurie graciously stopped to meet with the students, taking time to listen as they shared their perspectives.

For Tamar, that moment reflected the biggest lesson she learned all summer.

“I learned that we all as a community have power,” she said. “If you see something wrong, you can go and make a change.”

Looking back on the summer, Angie believes this expanded model is only the beginning.

“I think it is essential for our youth to mentor each other and do peer-to-peer mentorships,” she said. “This is the first start to getting that going, so I’m excited for our future summer programs.”

Six weeks earlier, many of these young people walked into Coleman looking for a meaningful way to spend their summer.

Six weeks later, they walked into City Hall ready to use their voices.

That’s what made this summer different.

It wasn’t just longer.

It was the beginning of a new generation of young leaders discovering that they don’t have to wait until tomorrow to make a difference in their communities—they can start today.

Join the Movement

At Coleman Advocates for Children & Youth, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to grow as a leader, build lasting community, and discover the power of their voice.

If you’d like to learn more about our youth and family programs—or find out how you can get involved—we’d love to hear from you. Together, we’re building a future where every young person knows their voice matters.

Click here to learn more or join us! https://colemanadvocates.org/programs