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

Dr. Ross,
Thank you for being unwavering and clear about TCE’s purpose. Thank you for always listening and learning and dreaming about what could be.
Forever grateful,
- Mia Bolton

Miyihah-Tlakilte Dr. Ross -
On behalf of Anawakalmekak and the Gabrielino shoshone nation. Much love on your journey.

Love you, Bob! Keep killing the game!

Dr. Ross,
Wish you peace and reflective joy brother.
- Efrain Escobedo

Dr. Ross,
I love you!! Thank you for being a servant to the people. Lives are better because you came into the world.

Thank you, Dr. Ross, for all the love you have given to this world. You have paved the way to continue making change.
- Veronica

Dr. Ross! You are a blessing and have changed the world we live in. Thank you.
- H.S.F.

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

Bob -
With huge appreciation for an example of excellence, humility, and grace.
Best wishes.

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

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

Dr. Ross,
The East Los Angeles Women’s Center sends you many blessings and gratitude for the support for our community & mujeres.

Happy times and thanks for all you have done for me.

Thank you for all of the years of big ideas and humble connection.

Thank you for doing the true work of a doctor… HEALING! I heard you speak early in my career and was very inspired. Thank you!
- Leslie Johnson (Community Coalition)

Best wishes to you and your family.
Blessings,
Mykol Lewis
Brotherhood Crusade

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

You are a big inspiration for this world! Thank you!

Wishing you all the love you can handle…. And wonderful memories of years at TCE!
- Elwood

A tu salud! Con cariño y respeto.

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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