Valley Forward is a youth leadership organization dedicated to advancing social and economic justice initiatives in the San Joaquin Valley.
influencing future valley leaders
351 fellows and counting
Empowering future leaders with experience and skills to push their community in a positive direction.
our purpose
Influence the future
Valley Forward’s purpose is to organize neighborhoods around civic participation by mentoring young leaders to communicate with Valley residents.
Our Valley
Their future
The San Joaquin Valley (Central Valley) of California is often considered ground zero for many of the most pressing health crises in the United States. Valley neighbors lack clean water access, clean air to breathe, clean recreational parks, adequate funding for educational institutions, affordable housing, safe neighborhoods, and quality employment opportunities. Our region hosts dozens of the most impoverished census tracks in the nation, made up of hundreds of residents on government assistance programs for their most basic needs. To begin addressing these issues, Valley residents must be organized around shared local values and engage in grassroots advocacy.
our solution
community engagement
Valley Forward’s program is designed to give local students the tools to inspire grassroots advocacy in rural communities, where civic participation is at record lows. We know that increased civic participation results in accountable and reflective representation in local government and can increase resource allocations in small communities. Students at Valley Forward are introduced to the political process and gain meaningful experience through conversations about local issues with neighbors at their doorstep. By listening to Valley neighbors, rather than soliciting to them, our program captures the collective voice of each community, while giving our team the best possible introduction to civic education. Ultimately, our goal is to illustrate a pattern of needs for the Central Valley and to give neighbors, and students, the direction needed to be permanently proactive in their own communities.
We cover ground
one door at a time
Our fellows rapidly distribute stories and information, door to door.
75 students per year
20k fellowship hours
50K conversations
success stories
Reyes Uviedo
Reyes Uviedo, raised in Visalia, CA, attended the College of Sequoias in Tulare County and earned an Associate of Arts to Transfer degree, and subsequently graduated from CSU Fresno with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Reyes is a first-generation immigrant passionate about community mobilization and advocating for systemic change around social and economic justice issues.His involvement with Valley Forward was serendipitous. While attending CSU Fresno, he was offered a paid internship with Valley Forward to conduct community canvassing. This internship was the support needed to get him through college. After graduating, he accepted his new-found passion for community and has since placed his original career plans on hold. Valley Forward's profound story is from student canvasser to field manager to Program Director. He has managed dozens of community outreach programs in his leadership with Valley Forward. He has brought Valley Forward to be amongst the top education and outreach organizations in the Central San Joaquin Valley.Reyes’ mission is to continue providing the support that Valley Forward provided him as a student to hundreds of immigrant college students and foster tomorrow's young leadership.“Coming to Valley Forward was the defining moment that led me to this newfound passion and leadership of community activism.”
Brenda Cabrera-Basurto
Brenda Cabrera-Basurto, a Sanger and Parlier, California native, graduated as Valedictorian from Parlier High School in 2017 and earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Business Administration from Fresno State.Initially planning to pursue a career as a corporate lawyer, her aspirations shifted after discovering Valley Forward. While at university, she joined Valley Forward as a student canvasser, progressing to Project Manager. She actively participated in various campaigns, including the 2020 Census and California Worker Outreach Program.Her Valley Forward experience led to her current role as Programs Manager at the Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Kings, Central Labor Council. This position allows her to contribute to the labor movement and work with unions.Brenda's time with Valley Forward highlighted the importance of grassroots organizing and community engagement. She valued every aspect, from interacting with residents to training students, recognizing the profound impact of empowering underserved communities.“Helping underserved communities was a profound and rewarding experience.”
More funding
More fellows
We rely on various funding sources to further our mission, you could play a part in multiple students' paths by donating today. Let's build together.
