Become a Youth Member

New member applications are now OPEN!

Apply here by September 23!

We need you!

Multiple crises are hitting our communities hard: the cost of housing, climate change, mental health, and more. Yet, youth are given few opportunities to exercise their power and voice to shape their lives and address these urgent issues. We know that things aren’t going to change on their own, and we need young leaders who will rise up and take action! If you want to make change, we need you!

At SBYC, youth members meet throughout the school year to develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills to become leaders for social justice in our communities. Members also work in committees on projects and organizing campaigns that advance SBYC's vision of youth power and people over profit in the South Bay.

Want to find out more? Fill out this interest form to hear from our staff team, or contact info@youthchangemakers.org with your questions!

What would I do as a member?

  • Issues like racism and mental health aren’t just ideas. They have real impacts on our personal lives. As a member, you will have the opportunity to learn about social and political issues in the South Bay and explore how they affect you, your family, and your community.

  • Community organizing is the process of building power by bringing many people behind a united cause. It’s SBYC’s primary approach to making change!

  • You’ll receive training and real-world opportunities to practice skills such as public speaking, facilitating group conversations, doing community outreach, storytelling and artivism,

  • You will meet youth from around the county who are also passionate about social justice! We cultiovate a community culture where people can be their real selves and grow in a judgment-free environment.

  • Each SBYC member receives personalized, one-on-one support for their growth from our staff. We will support you in developing an awareness of your strengths and growth edges, setting specific goals for your leadership development, and finding opportunities to meet these goals.

Schedule and Logistics

Membership runs throughout the school year. Members meet 3-4 times a month, from late September/early October to early December during the fall semester, and mid January to mid May during the spring semester. Meetings are split between zoom and in-person gatherings at our office in Downtown San Jose or occasionally in other locations around the South Bay.

For a detailed description of our programming and schedule for the fall 2026 semester, please click here. New member applications for the 2026-2027 school year are now open and will be accepted on a rolling basis until Wednesday, September 23. We recommend applying sooner to hear back earlier!

During the summer, we hold Critical Connections Summer (CCS), our introductory organizing institute for youth who want to learn more about SBYC before applying to be members! CCS runs for 5 weeks in person beginning in late June and applications for CCS 2027 will open in late spring 2027.

All our programs are absolutely free of charge!

What kind of person are we looking for?

Membership is open to all high school-aged youth in the South Bay (Santa Clara County). No previous skills or experience is needed to apply! We are looking for someone who:
⬥ Values justice and improving their community
⬥ Wants to grow as a leader in their community
⬥ Is looking for a community of like-minded peers
⬥ Is willing to engage with people of different backgrounds and viewpoints with an open mind

As an Asian American organization, we will center Asian* American experiences in our membership, but all high school students are welcome to apply!
*For SBYC, Asian includes Southeast Asians, South Asians, East Asians, West Asians, Central Asians, and North Asians.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • SBYC believes that everyone has the potential to be a leader in transforming society. We value group-centered leaders who collaborate and invest in the growth of the whole group, not just a few charismatic leaders. As a member, we will support you in finding your unique strengths and challenge you to transform into a powerful youth leader.
    Being a member is a special opportunity to connect with people from different schools and communities across the South Bay in an immersive, vulnerable, fun, and judgment-free environment. Many of our past participants have shared how radically different the environment feels compared to school and other spaces they are used to.

  • We definitely want you to apply! You don’t need prior experience with activism and social justice, and we know it can be intimidating to get involved. If you want to get involved but don’t know where to start, this is the right place for you!

  • Our membership is hybrid, with in-person programming occurring at our office in Downtown San Jose and virtual programming taking place on Zoom. Support with transportation to and from the office is available.

  • SBYC recognizes that Asian is a very broad term that includes many different backgrounds and experiences. We welcome Asians of all ethnicities, Asians of different socioeconomic backgrounds, immigrants and refugees, adoptees, mixed race Asians, etc. We welcome you even if you don’t feel Asian, or if you don’t feel comfortable in Asian/Asian American spaces.

  • Membership is organized by a team of young Asian American adults who work at SBYC. Many of us grew up in the South Bay and are dedicated to transforming our home for the better! We are passionate about this work because we want to provide an experience that we wish we could have when we were in high school.

  • We will do our best to accommodate your access needs, whether it is technology, health, transportation, religious, or other needs.

  • Members do not receive volunteer hours for regular meetings, but can receive hours for action-oriented events (for example, civic engagement phonebanking and doorknocking sessions).

    Generally, members do not receive compensation, except for Core Leaders, who are experienced SBYC members who hold an additional leadership role with a higher time commitment. SBYC’s youth compensation policy is dynamic and decided annually based on our budget and membership model; this year, core leaders will receive $300 per semester.

  • SBYC takes public health seriously. We will ask for proof of vaccination (including the booster shot). We will require rapid tests for in-person meetings, require masking during COVID-19 surges locally, and provide rapid tests and masks to you.

  • We would love to connect with you! Please fill out our interest form and we’ll get in touch with you!