Trail Transformation Has Begun! Councilmember Henry Foster is helping us “Make a Difference”

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE

When you have time, make yourself a libation, sit back, check out these videos, raise your glass, and toast our progress!

Click Power up youth walking the trail on October 7, 2024 to see a you-tube video we took when Power up With YOUth visited the trail on October 7 2024 . It “stars” Lead Youth Ambassador Henry Anderson, our partner Ashley Mendiola of the San Diego Organizing Project, and Coordinator Sandra Dryden.

Click Power Up youth walking the trail on February 10, 2025 to see a you-tube video we took of the trail. It “stars” Lead Youth Ambassador Henry Anderson. Watch the amazing difference in the trail after we sent all your advocacy letters to councilmember Henry Foster in December.


We are so excited that, thanks to councilmember Henry Foster and our trailblazer students and supporters, our transform the trail project is already having this amazing progress in our ability to use the trail.

- You are raising your voice. Thanks for your advocacy letters to engage Councilmember Henry Foster are “making a difference”. And

- Your voice is being heard. Thanks to Councilmember Foster’s for his amazingly quick response and action. He has encouraged and inspired us to keep going.

After you watch the videos let us know your idea for our “next steps” in our

* cleanup efforts. We want to begin to organize and schedule community clean up events.

* hook up efforts.
- We want to have our voice heard on the San Diego government committees that are involved in planning parks and recreation spaces.

- We want to hear more voices on what to include on the transformed trail. Please take our survey so we can add the right partners to our team to make the trail what you want it to be.

If you are interested in “making a difference” with us, please contact us or email us at powerupwithyouth@gmail.com.

THE DIFFERENCE WE MAKE WILL MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

Open Letter to San Diego Parks and Recreation Department

Adding Power Up With Youth proposal to the agenda item for next meeting of the Park and Recreation Department Area Committee.

Our youth-led organization, Power Up With Youth, would like to be on the agenda for your next Parks and Recreation Committee meeting

  We want to present a request for   the park and recreations Encanto walking trail - located at 5505 Stevens way next to the 82114 Earl Gilliam post office - to be restored and revitalized  maintained abd promoted as a safe, vibrant, and well-maintained space that enhances the community.

Despite the City of San Diego’s improvement plans for this trail dating back over 20 years, the area remains neglected, unsafe, and underutilized due to a lack of maintenance and publicity.

We have been proactive in addressing this issue, sharing our concerns with the community and at park and recreation community events since last year. In every occasion your  staff seemed receptive to our ideas. In each instance The Park and Recreation representatives asked for and we gave our contact information. Apparently these were not the appropriate representative to respond to our suggestions because we have never received a response.  . To date our efforts have gone unanswered.

We have  also reached out to representatives at the MLK Center, who were unaware of the walking trail or the correct process to present our concerns.

We have contacted the PLN historical  resources department other city agencies and our council member Henry foster who forwarded our concerns to you, yet  we have not received acknowledgment, follow-up  or specific guidance from you as how to collaborate with you.  We hope being on the agenda for your next meeting is the proper first step.

Through our Transform the Trail project, our youth have gathered feedback from residents and developed several solutions they would like to see to improve the trail. We would love to discuss the following with you.
   •   Cleaning and Safety Improvements: Removing debris, addressing safety hazards, and ensuring the trail is no longer dangerous to use.
   •   Beautification Efforts: Adding sustainable greenery, murals, seating,  signage, safety and other features to make a category one nature walking and bicycling trail that is attractive and welcoming.
   •   Regular Maintenance: Partnering with city agencies for ongoing upkeep and cleanliness.
   •   Connectivity: Linking the trail with other city projects to create a comprehensive network of safe walking paths.
   •   Community Engagement: Hosting youth-led events to encourage local involvement and stewardship.

We respectfully request to be in the agenda to:
   •   Present Our Proposal: Share our survey responses, our vision and our detailed plans for transforming the Encanto walking trail into a safe, vibrant, and accessible community space.
   •   Request your Collaboration  on a restoration and revitalization Plan:
Develop a joint strategy to address the current conditions of the trail.
   •   Publicize Progress: As our suggestions are implemented, we want to participate in a plan to assist in publicizing and updating the community on the progress.

This transparency will foster a sense of ownership and pride among residents.

We are ready to collaborate with you and the City of San Diego to move this 20-year-old project forward and create a safe, beautiful, and accessible space known and used by everyone.

You can reach us at powerupwithyouth@gmail.com.

Thank you for considering our request. We look forward to the opportunity to present our proposal at the March meeting and  collaborate with you and the City of San Diego to revitalize the Encanto walking trail and create a space that benefits everyone.
Sincerely
Sandra Dryden
Founder and coordinator
Power Up With Youth
powerupwithyouth@gmail.com
powerupsd.org

Trailblazing at the San Diego Park and Rec 2025 MLK Day Celebration.

We’re coming to the Celebration. 

We will be at the celebration 11am-4pm because want our community to help us create a walking path that celebrates Encanto’s culture and diversity.

Why This is Important

• Health & Mental Well-being: A well-designed, walkable space promotes physical activity and mental health for everyone in the community.

• Environmental Impact: Revamping the trail with eco-friendly features will support sustainability and reduce pollution.

• Community Connection: By bringing people together, the trail will become a hub for art, culture, and performances, strengthening local ties.

• Where is the Trail Located?

The trail begins at the entrance to the Valencia Business Park and ends at 54th street.

• Current Condition: Overgrown with weeds, graffiti, and broken fences, creating safety hazards.

• Nearby Landmarks: The trail runs along the creek, near the post office and trolley tracks, making it an accessible spot for the community.

• Why It Needs Change: It’s become an environmental hazard and is unsafe due to fire risks and neglect. We need your help to make it a space that benefits everyone!

Stop by our booth between 11am and 4pm

• Learn about our project. Join our student-led project to redesign the Encanto trail into a safer, greener, and more community-centered space.

• 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 we will place on the trail.

  • Testimonial : “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

How to Get Involved with the project:

o Share your ideas and/or resources.

o Help us plan or support the trail cleanup and restoration.

o Bring your expertise in history, design, art, small business development or community outreach.

• Contact Us: Sandra Dryden

powerupwithyouth@gmail.com

The Encanto Trailblazers: Transforming Neglect into Opportunity

What if a neglected walking trail in the heart of Encanto could become a vibrant symbol of community pride and history? That’s the vision driving a group of student leaders working with Power Up With Youth. Their ambitious plan: to turn an unsafe, overgrown path into a History Walk that celebrates Encanto’s rich heritage while fostering health, safety, and sustainability.

It all started during the 2024 Power uPWithYOUth voter turnout project. One afternoon, the committee leader and the lead student ambassador met at the Encanto post office, where they noticed the trail next to it. As they walked along the path, the student was horrified by what they saw.

What had once been designed as a safe and scenic route for the neighborhood was now in ruins. Overgrown weeds and dying brush overwhelmed the trail. Graffiti marred the fencing and large stones intended for seating. Trash and a discarded mattress littered the area, while homeless encampments lined the path. Without lighting, the trail became dangerous at night, and gaps in the fence posed serious safety risks near the trolley line and steep drop-offs into Chollas Creek.

But even amid its flaws, the student saw potential. This forgotten space could become a vibrant corridor connecting the community, telling Encanto’s story, and creating a safe place to gather. Inspired by this vision, the student shared their ideas with the rest of the team, and the momentum began to grow.

Supported by their mentors, the Power Up Committee, and their teachers, six student leaders decided to take action. They envisioned transforming the neglected trail into a History Walk: a beautiful, welcoming space where the community’s history could be celebrated, and residents could feel proud.

The team named themselves the Power Up With Youth Encanto Trailblazers and got to work. To turn their vision into reality, the students reached out to their District 4 Council Member, Henry Foster. They shared their concerns, their vision for change, and their plans for the trail. Council Member Foster, moved by their determination, pledged his support. He also agreed to advocate for funding from the San Diego Mayor to help bring the project to life.

This collaboration with local government fueled the students’ energy and confidence. The project was ambitious, but their experience with voter turnout campaigns taught them an invaluable lesson: young people can create meaningful change when they unite with their community.

Now, the Encanto Trailblazers are rallying support to transform the trail into a thriving community space that celebrates Encanto’s legacy and bright future.

How You Can Help

The Encanto Trailblazers cannot achieve this dream alone. They need the support of passionate, dedicated individuals who believe in the power of community.

Ways to Get Involved:

• Share your ideas and resources.

• Join or support the trail cleanup and restoration efforts.

• Offer expertise in history, design, art, or community outreach.

Let’s work together to turn this neglected space into a beacon of pride for Encanto.

For More information see our programs page

Contact Us:

Sandra Dryden, Coordinator or Henry Anderson III Lead Student Ambassador

powerupwithyouth@gmail.com

With your help, the Encanto Trailblazers can create a safer, more vibrant trail that inspires everyone who walks it. Join us in making this vision a reality!

EMPOWERING OUR YOUTH- SHAPING OUR FUTURE

Welcome to Power uP With YOUth San Diego. We are a grassroots initiative with the mission to inspire educate and equip young leaders to thrive, make a difference through advocacy and action and realize the vision of a better tomorrow.

About us: We believe in the power of youth leadership. We work together to guide, inspire and advocate for young leaders ensuring they have the tools, opportunities, and support to unlock their unique potential to be changemakers and create inclusive, equitable systems for a better future.

• Learn About Us about us 
• Join the Movement Get Involved

Explore Power uP Programs Our programs and campaign initiatives target young leaders from underserved backgrounds encouraging and educating them to empower their unique strengths confidence, skills, and purpose to drive change, promote justice, strengthen democracy.

From leadership development in schools to community advocacy, our programs are designed for the next generation to have fun with the purpose to create real change, and make a lasting impact.

Programs

• Learn about Power uP events
We go to the places where decisions are made, community voices are heard, and change happens. See what we’ve accomplished and check out our upcoming events
button: Power up our presence at the table
Our Impact” → (leads to the events page)

Get Involved: Power uP our ability to make a difference in the personal success of our youth and collective progress of our community.

Button Join the Movement” → (Leads to Get Involved page)
become a volunteer
become a mentor
partner with us
sponsor a program

Donate Powers uP our programs and help us achieve our mission. Every contribution counts  Donate now!

Contact Us powerupwithyouth@gmail.com

Our Goal: uP The Turnout

Power Up with Youth: Energizing Communities Through Civic Engagement

In our inaugural year, Power Up with Youth has set out to inspire a new generation of civic leaders by fostering awareness, education, and empowerment. Partnering with the BAPACSD Foundation, our first campaign, Up the Turnout, focused on increasing voter participation and strengthening community bonds. This initiative will engage youth aged 10–17 in meaningful activities designed to educate and energize their circles of influence.

Our vision is rooted in the belief that empowering youth to understand the democratic process will inspire them to create lasting change. During Up the Turnout, students will learn about voting rights, voter registration, and the vote-by-mail process, while participating in activities to influence eligible voters in their communities. Collaboration will play a vital role in their success. We will partner with local schools and organizations to create a network of support to maximize the campaign’s reach

Their outreach will be to their peers at their school, their friends and family members. They will encourage registration and participation using the vote by mail process.

Through our partnership with the BAPACSD Foundation, we will host workshops that combine voter education with interactive activities.

Power Up with Youth’s mission is more than just increasing voter turnout; it’s about fostering a culture of informed and engaged citizens. By equipping youth with the tools to educate others, we’re laying the groundwork for lifelong civic participation.

As we reflect on our first year, we are inspired by the enthusiasm and dedication of our youth leaders. Together, we’re building a future where every voice matters and every vote counts.