24 Years of Planting Change

Youth Awards

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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.

Youth Awards

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
  • Youth Awards
  • Youth Awards
  • Youth Awards
  • Youth Awards
  • Youth Awards
  • Youth Awards

Browse Other Changes Planted by Dr. Ross

Building Healthy Communities

Building Healthy Communities $1B invested over 10 years

Health4All

Health4All 38.6 million lives impacted

Schools Not Prisons

Schools Not Prisons & BMOC Millions reached since 2016

Farmworker Health

Farmworker Health $50M initiative

TCE Grant Making 2023

TCE Grant Making 2023 $381M awarded

Parks for All

Parks for All Hundreds of millions leveraged for parks investments in CA

Youth on the Board

Youth on the Board 1st of large foundations in US to have youth on the board

Childhood Obesity Freshworks

Childhood Obesity & Freshworks $272M to expand access to fresh and healthy foods in low-income communities

CHIS

CHIS 20,000 households interviewed annually to find health gaps in CA

Kids Health Coverage Campaign

Kids Health Coverage Campaign $4M to help enroll children in health programs

Cultural Competency

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

TCE Headquarters 125,000+ use our facilities every year

View All

Wishing Wall

Best wishes, Dr. Ross! I hope your days are filled with all the things that make you happy.

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!

You inspired me to keep endeavoring in education even when it's hard. Thank you.

Congratulations on a wonderful 24 years of impact! May God bless you and keep you!

Bob,
Don’t be a stranger.
Love you,
- Ray

Bob:
Thanks for 24 years of service to TCE and all Californians! Enjoy your new adventures!

Dr. Ross,
Thank you for your unwavering support of the HCA and the BHC. You made a difference in the world, and supported us to do the same.
In gratitude,
- Yvonne Maria Jimenez
NLSLA

Bob -
I love you and always will. Now come and join my board!
- Kim Lewis

Love you my brother! My homeboy. Wish you all the joy & happiness.
- Hector V. (Homeboy Industries)

It’s been a blessing to us and the movement to have you. Wishing you lots of love in your next chapter.

Best wishes for the next act!
- Joel

My friend -
Thank you for always believing in the work. I hope you get some time to rest and find new horizons (and no stalkers).
With love

Thank you for all the great work bringing health and wellness to California.
- Alan Pullman

Wishing you a happy and blessed retirement.
Love,
- David & Pei

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

Celebrate your new life!!
Our very best,
- Lew & Mary

Thank you for your guidance and leadership!

Bob!
Sending love and thanks to you - a role model for the good.
- Robin

Best wishes!

Dr. Bob -
Enjoy this next chapter in your life. I wish you joy!
- Jim Crouch

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
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