The Young Leaders of Tomorrow program has truly helped shape who I am becoming and the future I want for myself. I have been a participant at the Oak Park Community Center since I was five years old, starting with the after-school programs. Growing up in that environment helped me learn, make connections, and feel supported by my community. Now, being able to grow from those I’ve been able to participate it young leaders of tomorrow and prime time teens which is very meaningful to me. Those programs has given me opportunities to develop leadership skills and start thinking about the career path I want to pursue. One of the most meaningful parts is receiving a stipend, which helps me practice independence and build money-management skills. Learning how to budget, save, and make responsible financial decisions is something that will benefit me in the future. Because of this program, I feel more confident, motivated, and prepared for what comes next, and I’m grateful for the support that has helped guide me along the way.

The HART Sr Center is very important. I currently attend the balance class Mondays & Fridays and follow it with the Sr. Walking Group on both days. We even have doctors/nurses from Sutter Hospital join us for our 2.5 mile walks! There are many other adult programs that are important, for example, my friends and I have attended Spanish Speaking classes, Spanish-community gatherings, dementia courses for my grandmother, ballroom dances, and many other classes focused on learning as well as enjoyment/socialization. Sr. programs like these are imperative for the health and well being of seniors. The Customer Service/Counter greeting staff are just as important as the class staff. Online services do not serve seniors well; we are typically not savvy with online applications/support. Reducing staff or days at the HART Sr. Center would be a grave mistake. Please do not make any cuts to staff, programs, or days/times of operation to this very important location for seniors. Thank you.

Dear Sacramento City Council Members,
My name is Terece Carter, and I am a seven‑year District 5 resident living in Oak Park, as well as a City Of Sacramento employee at the Oak Park Community Center. I am writing to express my deep concern about the potential budget reductions affecting stipend‑based youth programs, including Young Leaders of Tomorrow (YLOT), Prime Time Teen (PTT), and Jr. Rec Aide (JRA).
These programs provide critical opportunities for at‑risk youth throughout Sacramento, particularly in the Oak Park community and surrounding neighborhoods. As both a community member and a grandmother, I have witnessed firsthand the powerful impact these programs have on our young people.
My 13-year-old twin grandchildren (Paris and Italy) have been attending our summer camp since the age of six and now participated in YLOT and recently completed Prime Time Teen March 5, 2026. Through these programs, they have learned leadership skills and built meaningful friendships. With the successful completion and stipend received from Prime Time Teen, my grandchildren opened their first student banking account and became first-time entrepreneurs, opening their own small businesses to help prepare and assist in financing their future college tuition. They are proud of themselves for overcoming challenges and are excited about giving back to their community where they often volunteer to feed the homeless and work at Keepn’ Oak Park Warm. The twins also look forward to the possibility of future employment opportunities through programs such as L&L and Jr. Rec Aides.
Council members, please note that the youth programs are experiences not simply activities—they are life‑changing investments that help shape responsible, confident, and community‑minded young adults. The City of Sacramento staff (Kris, Ken, Jameshia, Rosa, Matthew, Yer and Kathryn), who run these programs deserve recognition for their dedication and the positive influence they have on Sacramento’s future leaders.
Removing or reducing these opportunities would have a significant and lasting impact on the youth who rely on them for structure, guidance, skill‑building, and hope. I respectfully ask the Council to carefully consider how the budget decisions will affect the young people of Oak Park and the greater Sacramento area.
Thank you for your time and for your ongoing commitment to our community.
Warm regards,
Terece Carter
District 5 Resident, Oak Park
Oak Park Community Center Employee

I am opposed to a decrease in funding for YPCE. These programs are valuable to our youth growth and development. Two of my four children have completed Prime Time Teen and for other two are about to start Young Leaders of Tomorrow. I believe these programs not only benefit our youth but the entire community.

As someone actively involved and civically engaged within my community, it would be devastating to hear that our city is no longer in favor of or supporting the youth that call Sacramento home, the same youth who will one day be the ones representing and being responsible for civic affairs of the place we ALL call home.

As a youth commissioner, my job has been to uplift, highlight, and represent the youth and their voice in a variety of different locations. As a student leader involved in student government at my college, I've seen the real-time impact that dedicated youth can achieve if they come together to focus on a community goal or issue. As a first-generation American, I've seen the impact of both large-scale negative AND positive movements across my community, across the nation, and even ripple across the globe.

When it comes to the topic of youth engagement within civic affairs and when it comes to them orchestrating their own, a platform is often the most crucial and NECESSARY step in ensuring that the process can even begin to take root. There are countless programs that youth seek out and willingly participate in because they're passionate about what they're doing, and rightly believe they make a change. The funding being allocated for them is currently sufficient, and reducing the amount set in place could be detrimental to the systems and networks that have been built over this time.

I urge you to seriously reconsider reducing funds for youth programs; for you, for us, and for us all. Sacramento is the place we call home, and it can only flourish as much as the youngest in our society are nutured. Thank you.

City Council,
I am leaving my comment in support of stipend-based programming offered by YPCE. Please continue to support the Sacramento Youth Commission, as it serves as a vital bridge between the youth in our city and our legislative leaders, giving young people a meaningful voice in decisions that impact their lives.

As a parent, I have seen firsthand how much my children have benefited, from increased confidence to meaningful opportunities for growth and involvement. There are already limited opportunities for youth development in our community, and removing this program would take away one of the few pathways they have to grow, engage, and make a difference.

I strongly urge you not to cut funding by 50 or 100 percent, as doing so would significantly reduce access to one of the few programs that truly supports youth development and civic engagement in our community.

Without continued support, not only would youth lose a critical avenue for civic participation, but our city would also lose the chance to foster programs that empower the next generation.

Hello City Council,

I am Kelly Wong, and I am a part of the Sacramento Youth Commission.

As a commissioner, I am here to advocate for these programs that support the youth and their development. I urge against the defunding and cuts for these programs. These programs serve a pivotal point for youth to engage themselves civically, educationally, and community-wise with opportunities they may not have available to them. This makes these programs all the more valuable.

From my personal experience, I wouldn’t have learned about the importance of civic engagement and what goes on in the city if not for these programs available. I know that many of my peers can also attest to this fact. These programs give a chance to bridge the gap between our governing bodies and the youth; putting working opportunities into reach. It’s opened my mind and given me experience I cannot have received anywhere else. They have given me and other youth the chance to explore and grow with these programs.

I remember passing by my local parks and seeing the youth part of Landscape and Learning, raking the leaves and taking care of the parks that so many families and people frequent. Students and youth are willing to put in that work if given the chance. I’ve seen it first hand, and I’ve seen it in myself. It is also just as important to acknowledge the efforts of the youth with these stipends, as it gives them the chance to learn about money and savings– as they would with jobs they intend to pursue in the future. These programs create an irreparable sense of community that is difficult to find somewhere else. It gives people lifelong connections and friends from places that would’ve been hard to reach.

I believe that the defunding of these programs will have a negative impact on the youth. Not only will this take away from vital work experience opportunities, but will also take away their chances to make connections and learn something that schools cannot teach.

Sacramento was the one who paved the path for so many programs like this– we cannot simply backpedal and take these opportunities away from them. The youth deserves to be funded, and our education is worth the investment. Youth is the future, and you have the choice to help guide them. Please listen to our voices and the testimonials from these programs and people.

I express my gratitude for your dedication and efforts.

Best,

Kelly Wong

I am the parent of a student at Woodridge Elementary. I would like to talk about my child’s right to an education, a right that is currently being denied. This is a heavy moment for our community. As a parent, seeing our schools turned into holding cells while our educators are forced onto the pavement is heartbreaking. For over a week now, our schools have been open in name only. We were told daily routines would move forward, but the reality on the ground tells a very different story.
Right now, Twin Rivers isn't providing an education; it’s providing high-priced babysitting. For students with special needs this disruption isn't just an inconvenience, it’s a crisis. Every day our teachers are on the picket line instead of in the classroom, it is a day our children fall further behind. We are tired of hearing that things are fine when we see the empty chairs and the lack of instruction.
Our teachers aren't asking for the world; they are asking for the ability to stay here. We are losing educators to neighboring districts because we refuse to be competitive. They claim they can’t afford it, yet this district sits on unrestricted reserves. They are spending only 52% of the budget on classroom instruction, falling short of the state’s 55% guideline. Why is that money sitting in a bank account while our children’re sitting in a gymnasium?"
The Board needs to decide our children’s education is worth the investment. They can end this tonight by taking four specific actions:
Bridge the 'Healthcare Cliff': Stop offering a temporary fix. Teachers shouldn't have to worry about their families' healthcare disappearing in 15 months. Guarantee fully-paid benefits for the long term.
Commit to the 55% Rule: Move the money from the reserves into the classrooms. Stop filing waivers to spend less on teachers than the state recommends.
Cap Class Sizes: It is physically impossible to teach 30+ students in one room effectively. Give our teachers and our kids the space to actually learn.
Return to the Table in Good Faith: Stop the 'take it or leave it' ultimatums. Our teachers want to be back. We want them back. All that stands in the way is your willingness to prioritize people over paper."
A school is just a building without its teachers. Bring them back. Give them a fair contract. And give our children back the education they deserve. Thank you

I am writing to urge the council not to cut funding to Hart Senior Center.
The Hart Center provides Seniors with a place to socialize, exercise, play games, share interests, and learn something new. Thus, the programs at Hart support the physical and mental health of its participants. We cannot afford to reduce funding of these programs and services.

I'm opposed to further cuts to the YPCE Department. If we do not invest in our parks, open space, and people we will continue to lose competitive advantage in attracting people and investment to our growing region - Sacramento's ParkScore has fallen from #3 in 2013 to #32 in 2025. Providing access to nature is the way to improve our society, including public safety. There is wide public support for increasing our investment in parks and nature based solutions with Youth Forward's recent public opinion poll showing that 70% of Sacramento voters would support an annual parcel tax to improve our parks. Let's be creative and look to solutions that help us grow a better future instead of continuing to cut the services that bring out the best in us. We need leadership to focus on this and I'm asking you to step up to the challenge!

I am writing to urge the City Council to reconsider any proposed cuts to the Youth, Parks and Community Engagement (YPCE) budget.

Our disabled son actively participates in several Access Leisure programs, and they have become an incredibly important part of his life. Through these programs, he has built meaningful friendships and developed strong connections with staff who truly understand and support him.

He especially looks forward to the weekly Teen Hangout, the monthly Teen Day Out, and the Access Leisure dances. These are not just activities—they are spaces where he feels included, valued, and happy. The Teen Hangout, in particular, is the highlight of his week.

Programs like these are vital for individuals with disabilities, offering opportunities for socialization, independence, and community that are often limited elsewhere. Losing them would have a significant and deeply personal impact—not only on our son, but on many families who rely on these services.

Please consider the importance of these programs and the community they serve before making any cuts. They truly make a difference.

Thank you for your consideration.
Amy Bell, mom to Colin Bell

Hi my name is Luwinna Wu,
I am a junior at Natomas Charter Early College Academy!

I urge everyone on council to support Summer at City Hall, Semester at City Hall, and Sacramento Youth Commission.
If needed please consider making amendments to ensure all youth in the city of Sacramento can get access to civic and stipend programs.

I state this because I have had the pleasure to participate in 2 of those programs and I have friends on the Sacramento Youth Commission. I have gained so many life long friends and experience that I will never forget.

An experience that I will never forget is meeting one of my best mentor at California Civic Participation Center (Cal Center) through Summer at City Hall. Then getting featured on a newsletter.

Another experience, is finding youth who also want to go into public service.

A lot of the people like me used their stipends to save up for college.

Overall these programs, give youth like me a foundation to learn and grow.

In regards to the Hart Senior Center reductions.
I vehemently oppose the cutting of either employees or services at the Hart Center. If we consider ourselves a city that serves all populations, we cannot in good consciousness reduce senior services. Seniors of all economic and social levels use the center, either attending classes, leading classes, or most importantly, developing a community that values an oft neglected sector of the our population that is often taken advantaged of. Studies have shown that the more seniors are active and involved with their community, the more they stem the onslaught of conditions that plague the elderly: dementia, mobility issues, and depression to name a few. Most seniors have contributed to society in meaningful ways and they should not have to fight for a place that will allow them to live their later years with pride and meaning.
Again, the Hart Center should not lose their employees or their hours, or sevices.

Please continue to support the Sacramento Youth Commission. The group serves as a direct bridge between the youth of our city and our city’s legislative body. Without continued support, not only would the youth have reduced opportunities to be civically involved, but there would be less of a chance for programs to be created to help youth make a difference in their community.

Please preserve funding for all staff positions at the Hart Senior Center. Hart is the only community center in Sacramento devoted to providing services for Sacramento's seniors, and as such it plays a unique role in YPCE programming. Sacramento claims to take pride in the services it makes available to the city's seniors, and cutting funding for the Hart Center would undermine that claim. We count on the support of Hart Center for physical, social, educational, and financial services. I call on the City Council to protect those services by keeping Hart fully funded.

Please preserve funding for these youth programs. In the Sacramento/Natomas area, there are not many places for young people to spend their time, and youth are currently facing a significant mental health crisis. Programs like these provide safe, supportive spaces and valuable opportunities for professional development, community building, and workforce preparation.

These programs are essential to supporting our youth and investing in our future. I understand that the City of Sacramento is facing budget challenges and that some reductions may be necessary. However, I strongly urge you not to eliminate these programs.

Both of my children participated in the Young Leaders of Tomorrow program, and it was an amazing experience for them. They learned important professional skills, built confidence, and formed meaningful friendships. In addition, the program helped them open their first bank accounts, which was a powerful introduction to financial responsibility and independence.

Please continue to support and fund programs like this for our youth. They are critical for the well-being and future success of young people in our community and across Sacramento City.

My daughter participated in the YPCE Leadership Program and it gave her a fantastic overview of what is involved in being a leader. It taught her to work with others, to listen to and respect the opinions of people in a group, and most importantly, it really drove home the concept of integrity as well as several other necessary qualities in not only leadership, but human decency. We need these programs now more than ever, and starting kids on these concepts at a young age can only help the city of Sacramento. Please keep these programs going and creating more positivity for our future!

Please save funding for these programs. I have a 13 year daughter that has vast improvement in life and learning from this program in Oak Park. Her mental health and outlook on life has greatly improved and she enjoys participating daily.

Please protect funding for the Hart Senior Center staff and programs. The Hart Center is Sacramento's primary community hub for adults age 50 and over. Its provides essential programs that promote healthy aging, physical wellness, social connection, and lifelong learning for the City's senior population. These programs have generous support of volunteers, but they alone cannot replace the trained staff who ensure programs are operated safely and effectively. Please protect staffing, avoid reductions in operating hours or services, and ensure these senior care programs remain fully supported.

I am writing to express my deepest support and gratitude for Summer at City Hall and the Sacramento Youth Commission. My life was changed when I joined these spaces. I was able to meet women in leadership such as my council member for district 8, learning the importance of advocacy, higher education, and policy. Summer at city hall afforded me early career opportunities that have carried me to interning for a congressman in Washington DC. I am a first generation student, having the opportunity to be mentored by the staff who supported the youth commission has led me to be a student at a university, aspiring to give back to my community when I obtain a degree. Consider how many lives have been changed because of these programs, the trajectory of my life changed because the city invested in my future.