A group of eight high school teens from Boys & Girls Clubs of San Leandro spent part of their spring break at the State Capitol, joining youth from across California for CAI-CLAC Advocacy Days 2026 and speaking directly with lawmakers about the role after-school programs play in their lives.
The students, all members of the Club’s Keystone leadership program, met with Assemblymember Liz Ortega (above) and Senator Tim Grayson, sharing how their experiences at the Teen Clubhouse have shaped their confidence, goals, and sense of direction.
It was their first visit to the State Capitol, but they came prepared to speak candidly about what access to consistent, supportive programming has meant for them and why those opportunities should be available to more young people.
“What stood out was how clearly they connected their own experiences to the bigger picture,” said Kim Pace, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of San Leandro. “They weren’t just talking about themselves. They were speaking up for other teens who deserve the same access and support.”
The Teen Clubhouse serves high school students after school, with over 470 members enrolled. Teen programs are offered at no cost to families. The program includes academic support, career and college readiness, technology and arts programming, sports, and other opportunities designed to help teens explore interests and plan for their futures.
Beyond meetings with legislators, the group also joined more than 70 Boys & Girls Club teens from across the state, exchanging ideas and sharing the work they lead in their own communities. San Leandro’s teens highlighted their role as Teen Dating Violence peer educators in partnership with SAVE, as well as their outreach during Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.
They also spoke about organizing events and initiatives of their own, including the Keystone Snack Shack, which raises funds for teen activities, and programs like Total Teen Takeover and #WeOwnFridays, which are designed by teens, for teens.
“At the Clubhouse, we’re always looking for ways to put leadership in their hands,” said Rafael Vaca, Teen Clubhouse manager. “This was a chance for them to take that one step further and see how their voices fit into a larger conversation.”
One of those voices took center stage during the Youth of the Year Luncheon, where Keystone President Leilahnni C. served as a panel moderator. The discussion touched on issues affecting young people, including ongoing lawsuits against social media companies over alleged harm to youth, the state of behavioral health for teens, and how young people themselves can be more actively involved in shaping solutions and policy.
For staff, the trip was a full circle moment. “Advocacy isn’t easy,” Pace said. “It takes confidence to share your story and trust that it matters. Seeing our teens do that in a space like the Capitol says a lot about who they’re becoming.”
