We are so happy to be back in school with our youth! We’ve hit the ground running this semester and hope to keep you updated as best we can. Below you’ll read such a tiny bit about some of the stuff we’ve been up to, but be sure to check our website in the next few weeks to stay updated!

Welcome New Education Team Members!

A warm cozy welcome to our Community Education & Organizing Team who joined YVA at the start of the school year! 🍁 They have been a huge boost for our YVA school-based clubs and kind of a big deal for YVA. This is the first year YVA has had such a large set of Community Education Organizers. Last year, there were 2 (plus Carolyn), and this year, we have 8! We took this big step so that our *22*, and growing, YVA school clubs can be better supported, and to keep meeting the demand for YVA clubs at even more schools.

Since August, each organizer has been going to schools in San Francisco and Oakland plus Berkeley and Redwood City to give presentations, help with school club meetings, and make relationships with our awesome club leaders, members, and teacher supporters. Without them, we wouldn't be able to meet so many youth who are passionate about ending climate injustice. THANK YOU, Ed Team Members!

P.S.: If you can believe it, we are hiring more Community Education Organizers! Are you or do you know anyone interested? Read here and apply this month!

YVA Staff Training

No to Coal, Yes to Life Recap

By: Julz, Fremont & Castlemont Youth

On September 23rd, Bay Area youth organized a direct action so they could assert their demands for the future they want to see in Oakland. By organizing this communal event, youth were able to channel their collective power and bring the issues close to their hearts surrounding climate justice to the greater community of Oakland. 

Here, we have the words of Climate justice leaders in Oakland to help ground us in the fight moving forward: 

“Why would we want coal in Oakland?!??? Coal is dangerous and hazardous. Coal causes air pollution and makes our asthma worse. On top of that, Oakland is a city filled with low income neighborhoods and people of color already struggling with day to day tasks: putting food on their tables, clothes on their children's backs, affordable housing, police brutality, school shootings, violence of all forms, and garbage and homeless filling the streets more and more everyday. Add coal on top of that and you're killing an already dying community. Oakland doesn't need coal, OAKLAND NEEDS LIFE!"

Marlay'ja Hackett, 16, Oakland

The youth have made it clear that they stand directly against death, injustice, and the development of a poisonous coal terminal in the place they call home. They extend this grace to all places who are dealing with environmental racism and struggling against profit-hungry developers who wish to sacrifice the health of young people. The youth are fighting for life. So, join the youth, and say NO TO COAL and YES TO LIFE! 

Meet Our Clubs!

Given our growth this year we hope to spotlight every club at least once this school year! Read about our San Francisco Lincoln High club below!

  By Club Co-President Phoebe

This past spring, a group of students from Abraham Lincoln Highschool started a club of Youth Vs. Apocalypse. We meet every Thursday during lunch, and spend our time learning about climate justice and planning what we can contribute through actions. In the spring, we had around 15 dedicated members. This fall, our numbers have doubled to almost 30!

On Earth Day, April 22nd, our club designed and painted a  mural on the sidewalk outside City Hall.

However, this year due to our increase in numbers, our club has split into teams. Each team is focusing all of their energy into one specific project. One of our teams has spent the past 2 months designing an email writing campaign from start to finish to urge Oakland city officials to say no to coal, and yes to life! Another one of our teams has been designing infographics for Instagram, highlighting the environmental injustices faced by West Oakland residents. During the No to Coal, Yes to Life action one of our members also spoke to express our solidarity as SF youth to Oakland youth. Our club hopes to continue standing in solidarity with other youth in frontline communities through our continued action. 

Club Members at the No To Coal, Yes To Life Action & postermaking

Campaign Meeting Times

Some of our campaign meeting times have changed this semester, see those times below!

 Social Media Team

Meets Sundays at 7:00PM

No Coal In Oakland

Meets Sundays at 7:00 PM

This is an old campaign that is becoming active again due to new information on the proposed coal terminal in West Oakland. This campaign is advocating against the proposed coal terminal as it would worsen the already terrible air pollution in West Oakland and add to the climate crisis.

No One Is Disposable

Meets Mondays at 6:00 PM

The climate crisis is a result of foundational oppressive systems. Climate change exacerbates social injustices. We want to tackle these systems at the root and dismantle the idea and practice that people are disposable. No One Is Disposable is a campaign that will mobilize for direct actions for intersectional climate justice.

Divest CalSTRs

Meets Tuesdays at 6:00 PM

Our Divest CalSTRS Campaign continues to push for our teachers to invest in their students and stop investing in racist health disparities and the destruction of our future. If you are a teacher or know a teacher, please ask them to use this link to send a letter to their union officials know that unions should be on the side of justice for all people, not on the side of big oil. https://actionnetwork.org/letters/teachers-over-fossil-fuels-the-cta-must-take-a-stand-for-divestment

We Are Hiring!

We are hiring multiple Community Education Organizers to join our team of 7+ education members. We do suggest looking at the job description to see if you would fit our criteria.

Please send your resume and cover letter to YOUTHVSAPOCALYPSE@GMAIL.COM.