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
Best wishes, Dr. Ross! I hope your days are filled with all the things that make you happy.
May you spend many days on the beach. Best Wishes, Winnie
Thank you for believing in us and the opportunities your faith in us have afforded so many. We wish tenfold those blessings on you.
- Alf LaMont
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
On behalf of Music Changing Lives, we want to extend our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and dedication. Your commitment to nurturing and inspiring young minds through philanthropy is truly transformative. May you continue to touch lives & bring harmony to our communities. We are blessed to have you as a part of our journey.
- Josiah (Music Changing Lives)
Thank you, Dr. Ross, for all the love you have given to this world. You have paved the way to continue making change.
- Veronica
All the blessings in the world for your much deserved retirement. Thank you for your commitment to equity.
- Pico California
Congratulations on a wonderful 24 years of impact! May God bless you and keep you!
Dr. Ross,
Wishing you special times with your daughter. Relax and enjoy the beach.
Love,
- Marie P.
Best wishes for the next act!
- Joel
Your words at the Liberty Hill dinner always stuck with me and I continue to share the message today.
Thank you,
- Darryl
Congratulations on a long and impactful career! Best wishes for your next stage of life!
Best,
- Amy
POWER
Dr. Ross,
Wishing you a magical abundant retirement.
- Nikki
Job well done! Now it’s time to take some ‘bob’ time. We love and appreciate you!
- Arnold & Karen Perkins
Bob,
Thank you for all the good trouble you made and extending a hand to join you.
With love,
- Hanh Cao Yu
Wishing you a happy and blessed retirement.
Love,
- David & Pei
Blessings upon blessings! Looking forward to all your journey takes you!
Dr. Ross,
You rock.
Dearest Bob,
Thank you for the opportunity of a lifetime to work with you! An honor and a privilege.
Love always.
Dearest Dr. Ross,
May you be happy in the next phase of your life.
- Susan
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