Welcome to Power Up with YOUth:
At Power Up with YOUth, we believe every young person has the potential and fresh perspectives needed to lead their communities to thrive. That’s why we’re fostering a generation of leaders who care deeply about their world, amplifying their voices, and providing opportunities and mentorship. Through education, collaboration, and civic engagement, we’re giving youth the tools to lead with purpose, advocate for change, and shape a brighter future for everyone.
Our current campaign, The Encanto Trailblazers Project: Transforming The Encanto Walking Trail, is just beginning.
The Encanto Trailblazers Project. The project was inspired by Power uP With YOUth Ambassadors. While walking around their neighborhood, they saw the neglected condition of the Encanto Walking Trail and the Chollas Creek next to it. They also saw its potential and they determined to achieve it. The lead Youth Student advisor said “ Our aim is to hook up, clean up, fix up and lively up the trail”
Our mission is to transform the trail a dangerous trail, a community sore, to a cure!
Our vision is a treasured, safe and vibrant space for nature walks, community gatherings, local activities, tourism, and economic growth.
Our goal is to accelerate and improve the 2015 Encanto Community Plan (See page 83) by bridging the Encanto Walking Trail with Market Creek Plaza to the west and San Diego Black Arts and Culture District to the east.
Our Progress: We post details and updates about the project on our blog. Our Encanto Trailblazers Project is in the initial stage. It will culminate in 2028 coinciding with the next general election and providing the opportunity for Power uP students to use the next 4 years capitalizing on the history and gains they made during during their 2024 election’s historic “uP the Turnout " campaign.
This month we are:
• Advocating for funding and action to restore the trail in 2025.
• Working to identify all the parties involved with implementing the Chollas
Creek Master Plan.
• Forming partnerships with like-minded organizations. To date we have
identified four strategic partners.
o San Diego City Council District 4 Councilmember Henry L. Foster
“When I met with the youth and they told me about the Fix the Trail campaign, I knew I had to support it. These young people have shown incredible leadership, and I’m committed to helping secure the necessary funds to clean up the trail and make it safe for everyone.”– Henry Foster III Councilmember San Diego City Council District 4
o Schools in San Diego Unified School District E
o Groundwork San Diego, its Earth Lab, Green Team, Stormwater,
and Bicycle Plan projects
o San Diego Organizing Project
• Engaging Our Community at the San Diego Park and Recreation
Department’s 2025 MLK Day Celebration. Come to the celebration, stop by our booth between 11am and 4pm and show your support
• Add your leaf to our Community Commitment Tree
• Make a Tile for the Trail. Create your tile to add to the mosaic mural
that we will place on the trail.
How to Get Involved:
Come to the celebration, stop by our booth between 11am and 4pm and show your support
• Add your leaf to our Community Commitment Tree
• Make a Tile for the Trail. Create your tile to add to the mosaic mural
that we will place on the trail.
• Share your ideas and/or resources.
• Help us plan or support the trail cleanup and restoration.
• Bring your expertise in history, design, art, small business development or
community outreach.
For more details read our blog.
• Contact Us: Sandra Dryden
We collaborated with youth, teachers, community leaders, elected officials and volunteers to hold an event for the community to celebrate the youth and their success.
Testimonials
“It was amazing to see the support we received and how our collective efforts made a real difference. I am stoked that I was part of a team of about 120 students that reached over 1,200 voters.” Alex, student
“Supporting the uP the Turnout celebration was a powerful reminder of the strength of youth-led campaigns. Seeing so many young people passionate about making a change was truly inspiring, and I’m proud to have been part of it.”
– Clara Carter, Donor and Founder of Celebration Event Manager MCCSN
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Mission: Empowering Young Voices
Our mission is to engage, educate, and empower young people to become active participants in their community’s democratic process.
Vision: Shaping The Future
We envision a world where youth leadership and active participation is central to shaping and developing healthy and vital communities.
- Educational Workshops and seminars to equip youth to lead with purpose
- Civic Engagement opportunities to lead campaigns
- Leadership Development training, and mentorship and hands-on learning experiences designed to build confidence, teach leadership skills, and foster a deep sense of civic responsibility.
- Community Collaboration partnerships and activities that enhance community bonds and promote positive change
- Advocacy Training to ensure their voices are at the table and heard in community decision making processes.
In our first campaign, uP the Turnout, we partnered with San Diego Unified School District E and the BAPACSD Foundation to educate youth about the power and process of voting and to boost voter turnout.
Testimonials
As a young person, being able to lead in the uP the Turnout campaign made me realize that my voice truly matters. It gave me the confidence to advocate for issues that affect my community, and now I feel empowered to lead even more initiatives.”We inspired over 1200 community members to take part in the democratic process. – Henry, Youth Lead Ambassador
Get Involved
Power Up with Youth is more than just a campaign—it’s a movement. Whether you’re a student looking to get involved, a parent supporting our initiatives, or a community member eager to help, there’s a way for you to make a difference.
• Join Our Campaigns
• Become a Volunteer
• Donate
• Stay Connected Read Our Blog
Follow our journey and stay updated on campaigns, events, and opportunities for involvement. Latest Blog Post Title: “The Encanto Trailblazers: Transforming Neglect Into Opportunity