Youth Initiatives

The GREEN’s Youth Initiative’s Pillar is rooted in work that began over 35 years ago. Two young Latinos came together while attending the University of California, Irvine, Dr. Frank Zaldivar and Madison Park Neighborhood leader, Jose Rea. Both were inspired by their former mentor, Dr. Eloy Rodriguez, who created opportunities for Latinx undergraduate and graduate students as well as children from Santa Ana. Following Dr. Rodriguez’s legacy, his two former students created programs for UC Irvine science and medical students to immerse themselves in community-based learning. They found strong partners in the Madison Park Neighborhood Association and at James Madison Elementary. This work formed the earliest community engaged research partnership that centered youth and their health.

GREEN’s Youth Initiatives Pillar was formed out of a need to center young people in Santa Ana as our future innovators, thinkers, and medical healers and STEM leaders. Through hands-on STEM learning, environmental justice education, and strong mentorship, we equip youth with the tools to understand the world around them and imagine new possibilities for their future.

This pillar prioritizes access to resources, caring mentors, and real opportunities to learn beyond the classroom. Through programs like Aspire, Learn, Mentor, and Achieve (ALMA), we collaborate with community partners, educators, environmental leaders, and local organizations to bring high-quality programming directly to youth. Our approach centers Santa Ana youth as capable innovators and community members whose voices matter. Ultimately, we strive to create supportive learning environments where youth feel seen, valued, and inspired to envision their own paths.