Youth Awards
Envisioned as a celebration of youth and youth power, the TCE Youth Awards celebrates young people transforming their environments through love, data, and voice.
The Youth Awards honor youth who…
- Engage civically, volunteer locally, advocate for important causes, or encourage engagement among their peers.
- Take brave action when faced with deep-rooted systemic barriers and injustice.
- Have shown up in their community as agents of change.
- Will continue to evolve as leaders in the years ahead.
- Have made a positive impact on their community at large.
These California youth inspire their peers and communities while embodying the values of The California Endowment.
The awards are given in recognition of young leaders whose actions impact public policies, create innovative models of service, strengthen local institutions, and cultivate youth power.
Across the state, young people are leading from the frontlines, taking action, and advancing conversations to create lasting change that will lead to a more equitable and healthy future. The Youth Awards, created in 2018, recognize and celebrate the young changemakers and youth-allied organizations that have made a tremendous impact on improving the health of their communities and across California.
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12
Awarded in the North Region -
6
Awarded in the Central Region -
11
Awarded in the Los Angeles Region -
8
Awarded in the South Region
“When you provide young people with a little mentoring support, little bit of resources, someone looking them in the eye and letting them know 'I believe in you', these young people can really take things a long, long way.”
DR. ROBERT K. ROSS President & CEO, The California Endowment
Browse Other Changes Planted by Dr. Ross
Building Healthy Communities $1B invested over 10 years
Health4All 38.6 million lives impacted
Schools Not Prisons & BMOC Millions reached since 2016
Farmworker Health $50M initiative
TCE Grant Making 2023 $381M awarded
Parks for All Hundreds of millions leveraged for parks investments in CA
Youth on the Board 1st of large foundations in US to have youth on the board
Childhood Obesity & Freshworks $272M to expand access to fresh and healthy foods in low-income communities
CHIS 20,000 households interviewed annually to find health gaps in CA
Kids Health Coverage Campaign $4M to help enroll children in health programs
Cultural Competency/Health Workforce/PRIME $78.2M to CA organizations working to boost the size and diversity of the state's healthcare workforce
TCE Headquarters 125,000+ use our facilities every year
Wishing Wall
Love you, Bob! Keep killing the game!
Dr. Ross,
The seeds you planted will bloom for generations to come!
Dr. Ross -
The man who helped me to dream in decades! Thank you for your leadership and example of courage. You’ve made us all better!
- Kaci Patterson
Thank you for all that you’ve done! Please enjoy your retirement. You deserve it!
- Martha Dina Arguello & PSR-LA
Dr. Ross,
I love you!! Thank you for being a servant to the people. Lives are better because you came into the world.
Dang Bob! You really leaving? You really reading all this good stuff?! Ok man! Among so many of the things I already said, you baaaad, Dude. Much love!
Wishing you the best and a well deserved rest to enjoy the simple things in life.
Peace,
- Bob Alvarez (Balance PR)
Dr. Ross,
I hope this next chapter fills you up as you get to witness the work and people you have nurtured for all these years.
Dr. Ross,
The East Los Angeles Women’s Center sends you many blessings and gratitude for the support for our community & mujeres.
Love you my brother! My homeboy. Wish you all the joy & happiness.
- Hector V. (Homeboy Industries)
Congratulations Dr. Ross (aka 007) on 24 years of making a change in CA’s future.
Best,
- Dolores Estrada
Thank you for all of the years of big ideas and humble connection.
Love you brother!
Job well done! Now it’s time to take some ‘bob’ time. We love and appreciate you!
- Arnold & Karen Perkins
Dearest Bob,
I will forever appreciate how you have welcomed and vouched for me in philanthropy. And there’s still time for you to get us that $5mil!
- Shane
Blessed to be a part of your celebration and life, Bob!
Wishing you all the love you can handle…. And wonderful memories of years at TCE!
- Elwood
Thank you for all your work!
- Olga (FBHC)
Dear Bob -
It was an honor to be part of TCE. I wish you all the best in life and love in your retirement. Hope to see you in Pasadena.
Thank you for all your support for the ACA, #Health4All, and everything else.
Unveiling Our
2025 Annual
Report
The California Endowment is proud to present our 2025 annual report. Read about the work we are supporting and our partners who are changing California to a state of belonging and inclusion.
View Report