Hmong Innovating Politics’ youth partnership with Edison High School in Fresno reached a major milestone with the completion of the first two years of the Transforming Systems Empowering our Village Youth Justice Program.
The program built on student advocacy that helped restore permanent classroom space and administrative support for Hmong Heritage Class, creating the conditions for sustained youth programming.
The Transforming Systems Empowering our Village workshops covered gender justice, healthy relationships and recognizing signs of domestic violence. In the first year, HIP brought youth to the State Capitol for a People of Color Tour, helping students see themselves as part of California’s civic and policy history. In the second year, site visits to Bay Area partners exposed students to youth-centered policy change, relationship-centered schools and community-based models for wellness.
These learning experiences helped students grow their confidence, sense of belonging and commitment to local change. By the end of the second year, many youth participants reported stronger interest in building leadership, advocacy and organizing skills in their own communities.
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