“We Are the Now”: Young People lead with power and purpose at Salesian Youth Conference in Los Angeles

April 12, 2025, it was not just another Saturday. The Salesian Family Youth Center became the heart of a movement as more than 100 young people from across Los Angeles came together, not to be talked to but to be heard. The theme was clear: “We Are the Now.” From the first moment, it was clear that this wasn't just a conference. It was a declaration.

A Day Built on Trust and Testimony

Beneath basketball hoops and under the California sun, the gym was transformed. Warm burritos, laughter at the check-in tables, and music in the air made this a space of welcome, a Salesian home.

JC Montenegro opened the day by inviting youth to step into their courage. Then came the witness talks that anchored the morning, with stories from:

• Dulce Acosta shared her journey through mental health struggles and family conflict.

• Guillermo Piñon urged teens to reflect on how their friendships shape their identity.

• Rafael Dominguez gave a powerful testimony on immigration and the strength of carrying one's story.

These stories were not performances. They were mirrors, and the young people leaned in, not just listening but relating.

Grounded in Research, Lifted by Vision

Before diving into small group discussions, the teens were guided through findings from the earlier Rise Up for Humanity conference, presented by Sierra, a PhD student. The message was clear: the problems youth face are real and shared. Isolation, inequity, fear, and lack of voice are not personal failures. They are systemic issues.

And yet, what followed was not despair. It was determination.

What the Youth Said

Grouped in small circles, the young participants tackled two questions:

What are the biggest challenges you face living in Los Angeles?

What can you do to make your city better?

Their answers form a vivid portrait of the present and a blueprint for the future.

Challenges Named:

• Mental Health: Anxiety, bullying, unrealistic pressures, and the need for safe spaces to talk.

• Educational Inequity: Underfunded schools, lack of life-skill education, and limited future guidance.

• Safety and Environment: Violence, poor infrastructure, and unwelcoming public spaces.

• Cultural Displacement: Gentrification, racism, and loss of community identity.

• Basic Needs: Food insecurity, housing instability, and lack of access to healthcare or jobs.

One teen wrote, "We need more than programs. We need someone to believe in us."

But It Didn't Stop There

What stood out most was their clarity and sense of agency. These youth didn't just bring problems; they brought solutions.

Visions for Change:

• Education: Life-skills classes, mentorship, financial literacy, and college preparation.

• Community Action: Youth-led cleanups, mental health clubs, and public conversations.

• Inclusion: Safe, welcoming, and culturally rooted spaces for support and belonging.

• Leadership: Youth taking initiative in schools, churches, and local government.

These were not lofty dreams. They were plans.

A Moment That Echoes Beyond LA

As the conference closed with music, raffle prizes, and an ice cream social, one final question was asked: "What will you do now with what you've learned today?"

A teen named Jorge stood up and said: "I'm going to skip school and go to City Hall to talk about this. I want my voice to be heard." It was more than a mic drop. It was a call to all of us.

Why This Matters Globally

To our international Salesian family: what happened in Los Angeles is not an isolated moment. It is part of something bigger. Young people around the world are asking not for permission but for partnership. They are not waiting to be saved. They are building the future now. As Salesians and companions on the journey, our mission is not to lead for them but to walk beside them.

Don Bosco once said, "It is not enough to love the young. They must know they are loved." This conference showed that when young people feel loved and believed in, they don't just respond. They lead.

For complete reports or to connect with the youth behind this movement, please contact the Salesian Family Youth Center at info@salesianclub.org. 

Title of the moment: They are not the future. They are the now.

One Week Later at the California State Capital...

Following the Youth Summit, JC Montenegro and Luis Chacon joined the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce on their advocacy trip to Sacramento. They presented the youth document developed during the summit. During meetings with nearly a dozen members of the State Assembly and Senator Lola Smallwood Cuevas, they highlighted key issues such as mental health support, career education, neighborhood safety, affordable housing, and youth leadership. These discussions aimed to align the concerns raised by the youth with current state legislation, emphasizing the importance of incorporating youth perspectives into policy making.​

This collaboration with the Chamber provided a platform to amplify the messages from the summit, ensuring that the insights and solutions proposed by the youth were heard by state leaders. The engagement in Sacramento served as a continuation of the conversations initiated at the summit, demonstrating a commitment to translating youth driven ideas into actionable policy discussions. By bringing these priorities to the Capitol, the delegation underscored the readiness of young people to contribute meaningfully to the shaping of their communities.​