The Arcadia Civic Youth Council was founded in March of 2015 on the principles of civic engagement and community service. Our earliest members were dedicated to not only encouraging their fellow peers to involve themselves in community events and affairs, but they themselves took part in acts of volunteering. Participating in countless fairs, service opportunities, and partnerships with other local organizations, the ACYC built a solid foundation as a community organization.
Yet, in light of developments that transpired in 2019 and 2020—most notably our advocacy on behalf of the homeless in Arcadia, our lobbying of school administration officials and city officials, our new role as a voice of the youth, and most importantly, our 2020 Black Lives Matter campaign, our organization had to adapt its mission.
Today, the Arcadia Civic Youth Council stands as not only a community service organization, but as an advocacy group on behalf of the children and teens in Arcadia—a bastion for the surging power of young people to look up to. We still host and contribute to volunteer efforts across the city, but we also strive to represent the desires, dreams, concerns, and goals of our young constituents in the halls of local power. Our horizons have effectively expanded beyond just keeping the cogs of local institutions running—we want to have a bigger, unfiltered say in the city so that the new generations of Arcadia no longer get bulldozed by special interests. We hope that our efforts will inspire more of our younger peers to take civic engagement seriously and be outspoken in our community.
As part of our goals to inspire civic engagement and community service, the Arcadia Civic Youth Council acknowledges the systemic inequities persistent in our country and local community, and therefore we maintain a dedication towards equity, diversity, and inclusion. We strive to inspire high school students to use their voices to take action with issues that affect them in conjunction with our campaigns designed to directly address local problems. Addressing the chronic disparities for underrepresented groups and minorities is an essential part of our mission. In addition, we expect ourselves to be inclusive and respectful of everyone regardless of identity—including but not limited to race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic identity, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ability, and religious belief.
We strive to put our values into action by doing the following:
We hold ourselves to high standards in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion.
City affairs have become more intertwined with national events, and the youth are becoming ever more able to stand up for their interests. The ACYC has adapted to follow in the steps of the youth across the world. It is time to up our game.
It is time for the youth to stand up.
Yet, in light of developments that transpired in 2019 and 2020—most notably our advocacy on behalf of the homeless in Arcadia, our lobbying of school administration officials and city officials, our new role as a voice of the youth, and most importantly, our 2020 Black Lives Matter campaign, our organization had to adapt its mission.
- Where we once only sought to promote Arcadian history and life, we now seek to reflect upon our city’s culture and improve every aspect of our community.
- Where we once remained out of politics, we now advocate for liberty, equality, fairness, and justice for all.
- Where we once were content with simple acts of kindness, we now wish for an environment of kindness.
Today, the Arcadia Civic Youth Council stands as not only a community service organization, but as an advocacy group on behalf of the children and teens in Arcadia—a bastion for the surging power of young people to look up to. We still host and contribute to volunteer efforts across the city, but we also strive to represent the desires, dreams, concerns, and goals of our young constituents in the halls of local power. Our horizons have effectively expanded beyond just keeping the cogs of local institutions running—we want to have a bigger, unfiltered say in the city so that the new generations of Arcadia no longer get bulldozed by special interests. We hope that our efforts will inspire more of our younger peers to take civic engagement seriously and be outspoken in our community.
As part of our goals to inspire civic engagement and community service, the Arcadia Civic Youth Council acknowledges the systemic inequities persistent in our country and local community, and therefore we maintain a dedication towards equity, diversity, and inclusion. We strive to inspire high school students to use their voices to take action with issues that affect them in conjunction with our campaigns designed to directly address local problems. Addressing the chronic disparities for underrepresented groups and minorities is an essential part of our mission. In addition, we expect ourselves to be inclusive and respectful of everyone regardless of identity—including but not limited to race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic identity, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ability, and religious belief.
We strive to put our values into action by doing the following:
- Continue our efforts to take action to tie our campaigns to the empowerment and enfranchisement of underrepresented groups.
- Donate our time, energy, and resources to supporting initiatives and organizations we believe align with our mission of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Create pathways for the youth of Arcadia to be involved and learn about Arcadia's heritage and history in relation to current and historical injustices.
- Ensure that the Arcadia Civic Youth Council itself is representing many diverse groups by being a board of members from different background and experiences.
We hold ourselves to high standards in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion.
City affairs have become more intertwined with national events, and the youth are becoming ever more able to stand up for their interests. The ACYC has adapted to follow in the steps of the youth across the world. It is time to up our game.
It is time for the youth to stand up.
