24 Years of Planting Change

Youth Awards

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Youth Awards

Envisioned as a celebration of youth and youth power, the TCE Youth Awards celebrates young people transforming their environments through love, data, and voice.

Youth Awards

The Youth Awards honor youth who…

  • Engage civically, volunteer locally, advocate for important causes, or encourage engagement among their peers.
  • Take brave action when faced with deep-rooted systemic barriers and injustice.
  • Have shown up in their community as agents of change.
  • Will continue to evolve as leaders in the years ahead.
  • Have made a positive impact on their community at large.

These California youth inspire their peers and communities while embodying the values of The California Endowment.

The awards are given in recognition of young leaders whose actions impact public policies, create innovative models of service, strengthen local institutions, and cultivate youth power.

Across the state, young people are leading from the frontlines, taking action, and advancing conversations to create lasting change that will lead to a more equitable and healthy future. The Youth Awards, created in 2018, recognize and celebrate the young changemakers and youth-allied organizations that have made a tremendous impact on improving the health of their communities and across California.

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  • 12

    Awarded in the North Region
  • 6

    Awarded in the Central Region
  • 11

    Awarded in the Los Angeles Region
  • 8

    Awarded in the South Region

“When you provide young people with a little mentoring support, little bit of resources, someone looking them in the eye and letting them know 'I believe in you', these young people can really take things a long, long way.”

DR. ROBERT K. ROSS President & CEO, The California Endowment
  • Youth Awards
  • Youth Awards
  • Youth Awards
  • Youth Awards
  • Youth Awards
  • Youth Awards

Browse Other Changes Planted by Dr. Ross

Building Healthy Communities

Building Healthy Communities $1B invested over 10 years

Health4All

Health4All 38.6 million lives impacted

Schools Not Prisons

Schools Not Prisons & BMOC Millions reached since 2016

Farmworker Health

Farmworker Health $50M initiative

TCE Grant Making 2023

TCE Grant Making 2023 $381M awarded

Parks for All

Parks for All Hundreds of millions leveraged for parks investments in CA

Youth on the Board

Youth on the Board 1st of large foundations in US to have youth on the board

Childhood Obesity Freshworks

Childhood Obesity & Freshworks $272M to expand access to fresh and healthy foods in low-income communities

CHIS

CHIS 20,000 households interviewed annually to find health gaps in CA

Kids Health Coverage Campaign

Kids Health Coverage Campaign $4M to help enroll children in health programs

Cultural Competency

Cultural Competency/Health Workforce/PRIME $78.2M to CA organizations working to boost the size and diversity of the state's healthcare workforce

TCE Headquarters

TCE Headquarters 125,000+ use our facilities every year

View All

Wishing Wall

Dr. Ross,
Best wishes on your journey. Thank you for everything!
-SAJE

Bob,
We can’t thank you enough. Our wish is that you take some time to do what you want to do.
You’ve done so much for others. It’s time to DO YOU!
God bless,
- Steve & Jenn

Dr. Ross,
Wish you peace and reflective joy brother.
- Efrain Escobedo

Thank you for seeding so much change in the world, Dr. Ross!

Thank you, Dr. Ross, for all the love you have given to this world. You have paved the way to continue making change.
- Veronica

With deepest gratitude for all of your service, your love, & leadership. May you have abundant joy and connection and all good things.
- Sharon

All the best to the world’s greatest boss & mentor. Thank you for your leadership, advice, and support these last 16 years!
- Dan DeLeon

Dr. Ross,
Deep gratitude for your leadership and commitment to equity and justice.

It’s been a blessing to us and the movement to have you. Wishing you lots of love in your next chapter.

Dear Bob,
Thank you for your incredible and bold leadership for equity and justice! It has catalyzed so much and the ripple effects will be felt for longer than you can imagine. Thanks also for being a personal inspiration to me and our organization’s work. We’ll all try to carry on the pathway you forged. Best wishes in all your next endeavors.
Yours,
- Alex Rossides

Dr. Ross!
You are fantastic!

Your words at the Liberty Hill dinner always stuck with me and I continue to share the message today.
Thank you,
- Darryl

Thank you for all the great work bringing health and wellness to California.
- Alan Pullman

Blessed to be a part of your celebration and life, Bob!

Blessings upon blessings! Looking forward to all your journey takes you!

We are forever grateful for your tireless work to make CA a beloved community for all! Si se puede!
With deep appreciation,
- Mayra Alvarez & The Children’s Partnership team

I wish that you receive as much as you’ve provided to so many.
Much love,
- Steve Delgado

Dr. Ross,
You rock.

Dearest Bob,
Thank you for the opportunity of a lifetime to work with you! An honor and a privilege.
Love always.

Thank you for all that you do. God bless.

Unveiling Our
2024 Annual
Report

The California Endowment is proud to present our 2024 annual report. Read about the work we are supporting and our partners who are changing California to a state of belonging and inclusion.

View Report
2024 Annual Report - The California Endowment