All Children Thrive
The Modesto team at Tuolumne River Trust is on a mission to create safe and equitable access to parks for all children. In partnership with All Children Thrive (ACT), a statewide initiative dedicated to improving child well-being, we're tackling this critical issue head on. Our programmatic staff in the Central Valley is the backbone of the ACT Modesto team, working tirelessly to co-design solutions that will heal adverse childhood experiences and transform futures.
With ACT's funding and support, we've assembled a Park Youth Committee (PYC) of nine high school students and two young adult mentors to lead the Park Equity Project. These youth, representing their own communities, are elevating their voices to address park equity issues they face in their neighborhood parks. By working hand in hand with local communities, we've identified the top priorities and concerns related to park access - safety, functioning amenities, recreational opportunities, and accessibility.
The ACT Modesto team is empowering these young leaders with training and support to develop a civic engagement and policy advocacy strategy.
In 2023, the PYC will attend City Council meetings to present their data, findings, and direct asks for safe and equitable park access for all youth in Modesto, specifically in West Modesto. The city is overflowing with parks and greenspaces, and we believe that investments in youth outdoor recreational programming and safe access to parks and amenities will improve child well-being and bring about equitable park access across the city.
The ACT Modesto project embodies the heart of Tuolumne River Trust's Central Valley work over the last 7 years. It engages underserved communities along the Tuolumne River Watershed, supports youth voices, provides leadership development opportunities, addresses safe and equitable park access, educates partner agencies, elected officials, and community-based organizations on the current status of park equity and access, and promotes policy changes based on community-collected data.
It all comes together to create a healthier Lower Tuolumne Watershed - because a thriving watershed starts with the health and well-being of the youth and communities that surround it.
WATCH: ACT Modesto
Youth Driven, Park Equity Project
Hear our first Park Youth Committee cohort share their about their work to increase safe and equitable park access for Modesto's youth and families.
PYC members (left to right) Citlalit Alvarez, Tejas Mathai, and Noah Wong review park data and discuss which parks will be the focus of the ACT Modesto project.
Juan Alberto Gutierrez presents youth-developed action planning strategies to PYC members.
PYC members (left to right) Citlalit Alvarez, Noach Wong, Tejas Mathai, and Mayra Martinez review park data and discuss which parks will be the focus of the ACT Modesto project.
For more information or ways to get involved, please contact:
Hilary Beardsley
hilary@tuolumne.org
© 2022. California Department of Public Health. Funded under Grant #21-10471