Who We Are:

VOICES is a network of youth-led centers creating brighter futures across the North Bay. Rooted in the power of emerging leaders, we connect youth with the resources, relationships, and respect they need to lead. Each VOICES center is a place of growth, where experience meets opportunity, where healing leads to leadership, and where every young person is reminded: your story matters here.

Who We Serve:

We’re here for the ones who’ve had to grow up fast, the youth who’ve moved through foster homes, found their own way without stable housing, or crossed borders to find safety. We’re here for survivors, for dreamers, and for the next generation of changemakers. At VOICES, young people from every background find a place to belong and to lead.

What sets VOICES apart:

1. Youth‑led and lived‑experience driven. VOICES explicitly positions youth as leaders, not passive recipients. VOICES youth are active in guiding program delivery, building capacity within agencies and advocating to the community. The Youth Engagement Model demonstrates that peer‑to‑peer services foster more accurate needs assessments, higher retention and better outcomes. This is rare among service providers and has real emotional appeal, youth see themselves represented, and donors see their dollars directly empowering young leaders.

2. Integrated one‑stop centers. VOICES operates a network of youth‑led centers offering co‑located services: health, housing, education, leadership and cultural support, so youth don’t have to navigate multiple systems. This “one‑stop solution” combined with local presence across the North Bay, Solano, Sonoma and Alameda counties is unique. Most organizations provide discrete programs rather than a holistic hub like ours.

3. Systems‑change impact. The Youth Engagement Model also focuses on increasing the capacity of partner agencies to deliver “youth‑friendly” services and to use youth voice to drive policy. Highlighting this systemic impact can attract funders who care about broader change beyond direct services. Updated reports.

4. Partnership with On The Move. Being an initiative of On The Move lends VOICES credibility and access to a larger network. It signals professional management while still centering the community. Use this to reassure funders that VOICES is financially and operationally sound.

In Their Own Words:

“I hang out at VOICES so I can have a safe place to be after school . Vallejo isn’t the safest for everyone so I make sure I go there to stay out of trouble.”

— VOICES Solano Participant

“LAYLA has helped me work on stepping out of my comfort zone and actually trying to talk to people. I am slowly becoming more and more comfortable with talking to a group of people and I hope by the end of LAYLA I will be able to present without worry.”

— 12th Grader

There’s a lot we need you for:

Invest in youth-led futures

Your donation supports young people navigating foster care, homelessness, exploitation, and instability. Every dollar helps provide safe spaces, basic needs, leadership opportunities, and the consistent support youth deserve.