Youth Leadership Development at Barrios Unidos
For over four decades, Barrios Unidos has been a national leader in youth justice, cultural healing, and grassroots movement building. Founded in response to systemic violence and disconnection in our communities, we have remained committed to empowering young people—particularly those impacted by incarceration, poverty, and marginalization—to become leaders, healers, and agents of change.
Our Youth Leadership Development Program is rooted in cultural values, relationship-building, and long-term commitment to each young person’s success. We provide youth with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to thrive in their personal lives, in their communities, and in broader movements for justice.
Weekly In-School Programming
Barrios Unidos holds weekly classes at Pajaro Valley High School, where our dedicated Youth Coordinators provide direct support to students. These sessions offer:
- One-on-one counseling
- Cultural healing and education
- Violence prevention and conflict resolution
- Advocacy and organizing training
- College readiness and academic support
- Peer mentorship and leadership development
Through consistent presence and culturally rooted engagement, our team creates a space of safety, trust, and transformation for youth navigating complex challenges.
Youth-Led Advocacy & Civic Engagement
Youth at Barrios Unidos are not passive recipients—they are organizers, educators, and change-makers. Our program includes Youth-Led Participatory Action Research (YPAR), where young people investigate community issues and present findings to school boards and policy makers. We train youth in public speaking, campaign planning, and civic engagement, and we regularly bring them to meet with local Senators and Assembly Members to share their stories and advocate for meaningful change in education, mental health, and public safety systems.
Juvenile Hall Classes
We also hold weekly classes inside our local juvenile hall, engaging incarcerated youth with cultural education, healing circles, and restorative practices. Our work provides hope and connection in environments designed to isolate, and many youth stay involved with Barrios Unidos after release, continuing their healing and leadership journey with us.
Retreat Center & Cultural Healing
At our Walter Guzman Retreat Center, located in the Aptos mountains, youth reconnect with their cultural roots and the natural world. Through sacred sweat lodge ceremonies, storytelling, and land-based education, they learn the importance of balance, respect, and spiritual resilience. Youth also participate in hands-on building projects, such as constructing tree houses and cabins—developing not only practical skills but also a deepened sense of purpose and belonging.
Internships & Leadership Pipeline
Barrios Unidos proudly hosts an internship program for students from UC Santa Cruz and Cabrillo College, offering real-world experience in community organizing, nonprofit operations, and cultural work. Interns participate in outreach, program development, event coordination, and policy research—contributing meaningfully while developing their own leadership skills.
Over the decades, many of our former interns have gone on to become powerful movement leaders, founding or directing organizations such as:
- Gathering for Justice
- Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice (CURYJ)
- La Plazita Institute
- And many more across the country
This legacy reflects our long-term investment in nurturing leadership rooted in justice, accountability, and community care.
Workforce Development & Vocational Training
In partnership with the County Office of Employment, Barrios Unidos receives referrals for youth seeking job training and life skills support. We provide vocational training through our in-house print shop and office, as well as meaningful volunteer opportunities that build confidence, work experience, and a sense of contribution.
At Barrios Unidos, we believe every young person holds sacred potential. Through culturally grounded education, hands-on mentorship, and deep community connections, we help youth not only imagine a better future—but build it. Our Youth Leadership Development Program continues to shape generations of compassionate, courageous leaders dedicated to justice, healing, and liberation.