24 Years of Planting Change

Youth Awards

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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

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Wishing Wall

Thank you for your leadership and keeping justice at the center of LA philanthropy!

May you spend many days on the beach. Best Wishes, Winnie

Thank you for all that you’ve done! Please enjoy your retirement. You deserve it!
- Martha Dina Arguello & PSR-LA

Thank you for seeding so much change in the world, Dr. Ross!

Dr. Ross,
Thank you for all that you have done to advance justice and equity in our communities.

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

Dr. Ross,
Thank you for all your hard work. Wishing you tons of reset and peace, Dr. Ross.
- Nancy Nunez

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

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

Dear Bob,
Thank you for your incredible and bold leadership for equity and justice! It has catalyzed so much and the ripple effects will be felt for longer than you can imagine. Thanks also for being a personal inspiration to me and our organization’s work. We’ll all try to carry on the pathway you forged. Best wishes in all your next endeavors.
Yours,
- Alex Rossides

Your words at the Liberty Hill dinner always stuck with me and I continue to share the message today.
Thank you,
- Darryl

Job well done! Now it’s time to take some ‘bob’ time. We love and appreciate you!
- Arnold & Karen Perkins

We wish you well wishes.
- Brotherhood Crusade

Dr. Ross -
I learned so much from you and loved working together on op-eds, etc… After a break, I think you have a book in you.

Bobbie -
May God continue to order your steps. He;s not finished with you yet.

Dr. Ross,
Wishing you the best time ever spent.

RKR - sooooo wonderful to gather this evening to celebrate you! The honor and privilege of knowing you is more than I can describe. Hoping we will be sure to connect as you go.

Unveiling Our
2024 Annual
Report

The California Endowment is proud to present our 2024 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