POWER UP WITH YOUTH PROJECT
UP THE TURNOUT 2024
120 students. More than 1,200 voters reached. A real-world civic engagement experience.
What happens when young people learn about voting and then help others participate?
Through uP the Turnout, Power Up With YOUth worked with students, San Diego Unified School District, and the BAPACSD Foundation to encourage voter engagement.
Students explored civic participation and helped extend voter engagement into their communities. They had an opportunity to connect what they were learning with something happening in the real world.
The project demonstrated that young people don’t have to wait until they can vote to help others understand the importance of participating in our democracy.
They can learn. They can engage others. They can contribute now.
What Young People Gained
Knowledge: Opportunities to learn about voting and civic participation.
Experience: A chance to connect learning with a real-world effort.
Connections: Opportunities to work with schools and community partners.
Purpose: An opportunity to see how young people can contribute to civic life before they reach voting age.
What This Shows Us
Young people don’t need to wait for adulthood to begin participating in their communities.
Give them meaningful opportunities, connect them with people who can help, and let them put what they learn into action.
Youth learned. Youth led. Youth made a difference.
Photo placement: Use approved photographs from the uP the Turnout celebration and student activities. Place a short caption directly beneath each photograph.
THERE’S MORE THAN ONE WAY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Not every young person will choose the same path—and that’s a good thing.
One young person may want to understand how government works. Another may want to use technology to investigate a community concern. Someone else may have a talent for design, a passion for helping people, or an idea that brings people together.
You can start by asking questions, learning a skill, joining an existing effort, sharing an idea, or helping someone else.
You don’t have to do everything. You can discover what interests you, what you have to offer, and where your contribution might make a difference.
Start where you are. Find your people. Take the next right step.
Power uP With YOUth– uP The Turnout was our first campaign. It’s intent was to increase voter turnout by engaging these youth to encourage their peers, friends, and families to vote.
Our Challenge:
Turning Hardship, Silence, Confusion, and Disconnect into Trust and Informed Action
San Diego City and County District 4 residents and San Diego Unified School District E are at the heart of our efforts. All are diverse, culturally rich, and systemically underserved.
The first step in demanding better service, better representation, and better investment is to use the power of the vote. Our challenge was to use create an action plan to recognize build and use their voting power effectively.
During the classroom portion of the campaign the students saw a disturbing gap: while 75% of eligible residents were registered to vote, only 25% actually voted. So we surveyed our community and its government. We found:
Hardship
- Almost 20% of children live below the poverty level
- Housing is unaffordable for most of District 4 residents. Median rent is
$1900/month, Most families of 4 need rent to be less than $700/month
- Families struggle to access nutritious food, healthcare and safe sustainable
living conditions
Silence
- The residents don’t make their voices heard
- The residents don’t hold their elected officials accountable.
- Many initiatives seeking change addressing them have been languishing in
the “system” for 20 years.
- three of four registered voters don’t vote
Confusion
- the process was too complicated
- ballots and complex issues were difficult to understand
- the voting methods were hard to use properly
- the voting location was always changing
Disconnect
- their voices didn’t matter
- politicians only came around to get their vote not represent their needs
- nothing ever changes
Our work and Our Results
We learned about voting history, voting processes, and voting the issues
We learned how to communicate to rebuild trust
We selected the most inclusive accessible voting processes
We engaged our community leaders and elected officials
We engaged and informed our peers, families, and friends
We helped our community vote their values
Our Results: We made history!
120 students engaged over 1,200 voters to participate in the 2024 election.
In our first program, uP the Turnout 2024, we partnered with San Diego Unified School District E and the BAPACSD Foundation to educate youth about the power and process of voting and to boost voter turnout.
Then, we collaborated with youth, teachers, community leaders, elected officials and volunteers to hold an event for the community to celebrate the youth and their success.
Testimonials
As a young person, being able to lead in the uP the Turnout program made me realize that my voice truly matters. It gave me the confidence to advocate for issues that affect my community, and now I feel empowered to lead even more initiatives. We inspired over 1200 community members to take part in the democratic process. – Henry, Youth Lead Ambassador
“It was amazing to see the support we received and how our collective efforts made a real difference. I am stoked that I was part of a team of about 120 students that reached over 1,200 voters.” Alex, student
“Supporting the uP the Turnout community celebration was a powerful reminder of the strength of youth-led programs Seeing so many young people passionate about making a change was truly inspiring, and I’m proud to have been part of it.”
– Clara Carter, Celebration Event Manager, Donor and Founder of MCCSN
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Program Mission: Empowering Young Voices
Our mission is to engage, educate, and empower young people to become active participants in their community’s democratic process helping their friends and family vote with understanding and intention.
Program Vision: Shaping The Future
We envision a world where youth leadership and active participation is central to shaping and developing healthy and vibrant communities.
Program Activities
- Educational Workshops and seminars to equip youth to lead with purpose
- Civic Engagement opportunities to lead campaigns
- Leadership Development training, and mentorship and hands-on learning experiences designed to
build confidence, teach leadership skills, and foster a deep sense of civic responsibility.
- Community Collaboration partnerships and activities that enhance community bonds and promote positive change
- Advocacy Training to ensure their voices are at the table and heard in community decision making processes.
Learn about what we did and how we did it!
* Our history * Our schools activities * Our community outreach
* Our Vote-by-mail Events * Our voter education materials
* Our Celebration
THANK POWER UP THE TURNOUT 2024 ALLIES
Your time, talent, treasure, and support helped us inspire and empower young leaders to make a difference in their communities. To learn easy ways to donate and join our mission of shaping a brighter future together email powerupwithyouth@gmail.com
We’re so grateful for our amazing supporters - committee members, teachers, donors, partners, volunteers, and vendors—you’re the heart of everything we do. With your help, we’re building a future where every voice matters.
Thanks for powering up with us—we couldn’t do it without you!
**Power UP Coordinating Committee**
Dear, Carolyn
Thank you for your incredible work in guiding our students through the Power uP campaign. Your insights and dedication to teaching them helped shape their understanding of voting and its importance. You truly made a difference in their lives and helped them stay engaged and encouraged and feel empowered about their future.
Dear, Rhonda
Thank you for all your hard work in securing the teachers, resources and donors that helped make the Power uP Campaign possible. Your dedication to finding people who shared our vision was vital to our success. You’ve truly been a driving force in ensuring we had the support and items we needed to make this campaign a success.
Dear, Jennifer
I can’t thank you enough for all the time, energy, and support you poured into mentoring the youth leaders throughout the Power uP Campaign. From guiding them on social media to being present at our events, you helped them develop the skills and confidence they needed to succeed. I especially appreciate your constant encouragement and the personal touch you brought as a mentor. Let’s keep this momentum going and continue creating positive changes!
Dear, Pat
Thank you for your incredible effort in helping us reach more people during the Power uP Campaign. Your support in expanding our outreach, especially with the additional connections you brought to the campaign, was invaluable. Thanks to your leadership, we were able to connect with more voters, register new voters, and create a larger impact.
Dear, Lillian
Thank you so much for bringing your special analytical skill to the Power Up Campaign. Your neutral and clear explanations of the ballot measures and propositions was appreciated by all those attending the vote by mail events. You made their task easier. Your comprehensive summaries of voting history, process, and importance sparked passion in the students. Their passion combined with their learning is what allowed them to make significant gain in the voter turnout in our district.
Dear, Ellen
Thank you for the incredible support you brought to our Power uP Campaign. Your leadership and the connections we made through the BAPACSD Foundation with important funders and organizations significantly contributed to the success of our efforts. Your commitment, vision, and advice were invaluable, and I truly appreciate everything you did. Let’s continue making an impact together!
Dear, Marley
Thank you so much for serving as a Lead Youth Ambassador for the Power uP Campaign. Your unique insights and presence really made a difference. I especially loved the awesome artwork you contributed—it really helped make the campaign stand out. You played an important role in pushing us forward, and I’m so thankful for your help. Keep being amazing, and I can’t wait to see what we do next!
Dear Henry,
Thank you for your leadership and commitment as a Lead Youth Ambassador to the Power uP Campaign. The goodwill you brought from your connections and the new relationships you built within our community made all the difference. Your influence with both adults and students expanded our reach and impact. I’m proud to have worked alongside you and look forward to future efforts together! Event Manager Clara Carter, Multi Cultural Convention Services Network MCCSN and Women In Tourism and Hospitality sdwithit
Kim, Danielle, Gerry, Jenny, Julia and Philip
Thank you for being our “go to support team”. Your knowledge, perspectives and availability when we “thought we saw smoke” prevented many fires.
** Schools ** Power up With YOUth and democracy in San Diego 4th District are better for the successful efforts of San Diego Unified School District E led by Dr. Sharon Whitehurst Payne. These students and their teachers, who led and influenced their friends, family, and peers to vote. They also designed and implemented this historic first of its kind campaign creating prototypes that are used as a “role model” throughout California.
Mock Voting
Johnson Elementary For Stem and Science Dr. Tracey Jenkins- Martin
Materials, Promotion, Advocacy and Events
Johnson Elementary For Stem and Science Dr. Tracey Jenkins- Martin
Nye Elementary - Dr. Pamela Thompson. Tammy Robinson
Bell Middle School - Dr. Precious Jackson- Hubbard, Karen Lacey-Jackson
Millennial Tech Middle School -
Dr. Nicola Labas, Sarah Hillard, Brittany Cook
Morse High School - Dr. Cynthia Larkin, Sonja Taylor, Laura Stauffer,
Kipp Adelante Preparatory Academy
Juan House, Alicia Martinez, Julieta Morales
** Volunteers
Vote By Mail
Bethel African American Methodist Church
Dr. Harvey Vaughn, Minister Susan Davis, Patricia Bevelyn, Vivian Patterson, Nikeeta McLeod, Dorothy Vails-Weber, Tommy and Joann Vance, Marley White, Jennifer White
St. Stephens Cathedral Church of God In Christ
Pastor McKinney, Henry Anderson
Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church San Diego
Pastor Anderson, Clara Carter, Charlotte Jackson, Hazel Jenkins. Henry Anderson
Jackie Robinson Family YMCA
Anna Arancibia, Henry Anderson
Community Outreach Events
Clara, Vivian Patterson, Pat Murray,
Register to Vote
Bayview Baptist Church San Diego
Pastor Brooks, Patricia Murray, Valry Carroll, Donna Gibson, Iris Payne, Dinah Goodspeed, Sarah Holmes, Debra Jarvis, Carolyn Johnson,, Doris Rawlings, Gracelia Smith, Francis Story, Loretta Swanagan
Crawford High School San Diego Dr. Reashon Villery, Counselor Tim Shaw
Entertainment
Errrverybodi Line Dancers
Janice Dickens, Sandra Freow, LaTosca James, Deb McKissack, Theresa Nevills, Rhonda Shephard, Josie Moore, Earnestine Simmons, JanTurner,
Celebration Supporters
Danielle Anderson, Valerie Dixon, Judith Green, Catherine Jones, Debra Jarvis Nolen McFarland, Kim Milton, Xochitl Villanueva
** Vendors **
Clara Carter, MCCSN
CWJ Audio Visual Carlton Jones
Planet Zoo Entertainment Wayne Daniels
Shack on Wheels Chicken Shack 619
Joshua Briggs Party Supplies
Jaqailah Bell Digital Marketing Specialist
Erica’s Balloons Erica Lagrone
Steve Cooper videographer Steve Cooper Lifestyles
Nailah S. Hunter Fantasy Painting Entertainment
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