Many youth leaders and supporters rallied in front of the Capital of Sacramento Monday afternoon to hype up two Assembly Bills (AB), AB-2764, and AB-1886, that will benefit foster youth and lessen the struggles that they currently face. One organization, California Youth Connection, had their annual Day at the Capitol, where they trained and organized former and current foster youth to speak with their legislators. The rally was filled with foster youth speakers sharing their personal stories navigating the foster care system and how the two bills would help with the process.

“California Youth Connection (CYC) is a youth-led* organization that develops and grows leaders who empower each other and their communities to transform the foster care system through legislative and policy change. Our vision is that youth impacted by child welfare and intersecting systems are empowered to have their needs met and the support to grow into healthy and vibrant adults.” CYC’s mission and vision statement. 

AB-2764: Extended Foster Care.
Introduced by Assembly Member Patrick Ahrens in District 26 in Silicon Valley, this bill expands housing access and stability to foster youth in California ages 18 – 21. 

“Turning 21 isn’t a celebration like it is for most, it’s a fear-” Naomi Orozco, a minor dependent, addressed at the rally when she was meeting with other foster youth. “AB-2764 ensures equitable housing for non-minor dependents, as a multitude of youth struggle to find stable housing. With stable housing, we can support our foster youth with their education, work and independence”

AB-1886: Ending Endless Probation for All Youth 
Introduced by Assembly Member Sade Elhawary in District 57 in Los Angeles, this bill would provide clear probation timelines and check-ins for all youth, including foster youth (who were not included in a similar bill, AB-1326)

“We need to have the hard conversations. We need to say what is it going to take for folks who don’t know if this is the right move, that we can have real conversations to negotiate, how do we do this, and how do we do it right? And how do we not leave anyone out just because it’s a hard population” Assembly Member Sade Elhawary gave a speech during the rally. She is a proud foster mother and talked about how much struggle foster youth go through while being forgotten and overlooked. She mentions that endless probations harms foster youth’s mental health, education, and digs them deeper into the system which makes it hard to get out of.

Other youth speakers like Michael, a CYC Sacramento member, highlights the courage to continue the advocacy. “That is the whole of this for us to give back to those who come after us, so that way they don’t have to go through the things we went through”.

Aki Ramirez, shared a poem about youth displacement, and brought up AB-899, Foster Youth Bill of Rights (2001) which creates safe environments for foster youth to live in. As well as to continue advocating for better conditions for foster youth.

Christopher Hendrix shares his beliefs on youth advocacy “I believe youth are centers of their own story and that they are capital to be nourished, not deficits to be examined. Please continue to strive for the best, you are the future. We are the future. Not by us, all for us, I’m a big advocate for that. Please center your stories, talk to your legislators, go into your communities, grassroots organizing is key to get meaningful change done. And I just want to say, “Upward and Onward”.

Jessica Fuentes, CYC statewide membership cochair, encourages youth to get involved as well
“I started when I was 17, it started with a passion. I was shy at the beginning and didnt know what to do, but once you get to see the work you are putting in and seeing the changes you are making, it makes you proud to be able to speak up for yourself and other youth. Your experience is just as valuable as anyone’s experience. The change you are making is not just for yourself, it’s for the future of foster care.”

Free Axel
At the rally, there was cardboard cut out of someone as well as chantings of the name, Axel, a SoCal CYC member that was detained in an Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) center in August 2025. He recently had to be deported from The United States in March 2026, leaving behind his 4-year-old-son, Ajay. 

Jordan Sosa, CYC Board member, shares his experience with Axel. “It is unfortunate that with these current times that they don’t allow platforms for youth who are the most marginalized, the most impacted by the state-system. Axel is an example of being a fierce advocate. Although the systems are putting his voice down in all levels, his presence is here, his legacy is here, and it’s definitely going to stay here at CYC”.

To learn more about California Youth Connection and their journey with the Assembly Bills, as well as learn more about Axel’s situation, here is link tree with their resources.