Ensuring Youth Are
Future Ready

SPEAK UP FOR YOUTH

Creating systems where every young person in Bexar County can thrive.

Why Our Policy Work Matters

We advocate for equitable policies and engage stakeholders to address barriers to postsecondary access and attainment by developing a comprehensive advocacy agenda focused on strategic public sector partnerships to unlock $330 million in public funding by 2030.

Top 3 Goals:

Identify policy opportunities that increase youth funding for Future Ready 2030 goal, which is to ensure 70% of Bexar County high school grads enroll in postsecondary pathways.
Develop strategic partnerships with public officials to prioritize youth in policy and funding.
Build a coalition of advocates to drive intergenerational changes in the community.

Our Policy Framework: Definitions We Share

Advocacy: The collective effort of youth, families, community, decision makers, and institutional partners to remove barriers and bridge gaps that prevent youth from accessing opportunities to lead choice-filled lives. This work includes connecting youth and families to essential resources and ensuring they have the information needed to successfully navigate educational and career pathways.

Youth Investment: A sustainable commitment to investing in Bexar County residents aged 0-24 through the strategic allocation of resources, opportunities, and support. This investment empowers youth in Bexar County by aligning local funding with the demographic proportion of youth (30% of residents) and supporting youth development programs that promote healing, access, and voice.

Youth Development: Supporting high quality youth services aimed to equip youth with the tools and opportunities needed to lead choice-filled lives, both in school and out of school.

The Support Behind It

Communication Council Steering Committee

Jenee Margo Gonzales, Chief Development and Communications Office, Communities In Schools of San Antonio
Hernan Rozemberg, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, San Antonio Area Foundation
Kevin Femmel, PR and Communications, United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County
Denise Blaz, Strategic Communications Manager, Alamo Colleges District
Stephanie Gaitan, Director of Communications, CAST Schools Network
Patton Dodd, Executive Director of Storytelling and Communications, H. E. Butt Foundation

Policy Council Steering Committee Members:

Dr. Ana Acevedo, Chief Executive Officer, San Antonio Education Partnership
Dr. Jeniffer Richardson, Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Public Policy, United Way of Bexar County and San Antonio
Denise Barkhurst, President & Chief Executive Officer, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of South Texas
Andrea Figueroa, Director of Youth Success, San Antonio Area Foundation
Dr. Barbara Robles-Ramamathy, Founder & CEO, TEKU
Megan Loomis, Capacity Building Program Director, H.E. Butt Foundation
Eddie Rodriguez, Sr. Partnership Director, CAST Schools Network
Anna Alicia Romero, Director of Legislative & External Affairs, SAISD

Policy Council Organizational Members:

Communications Council Members:

Youth Voice in Action:
UP Leaders of Tomorrow

The UP Leaders of Tomorrow Fellowship is a 9-month program designed to equip youth aged 16–24 with the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience needed to engage in advocacy within their school systems and at the city, county, and state levels. This cohort provides young people with a platform where their voices are heard as effective civic leaders and decision-makers, while actively contributing to a bold, community-wide mission to eliminate policy barriers.

Where We've Been:
Engagement Timeline & Event Highlights

Summer 2024

Engaged in COSA Charter Review Commission process advocating for a 20% set aside of additional annual review in the city budget to be allocated to youth services and initiatives.

Spring 2025

Hosted the first ever Youth-Led Mayoral Forum with 10 mayoral candidates and over 400 attendees. We then hosted a Mayoral and City Council runoff forum with a focus on youth development, workforce, and early childhood education with over 150 attendees.

Summer 2025

Convened 3 youth development executive leaders and one city council member to attend the Children’s Funding Institute, which provides technical assistance to communities interested in securing additional public funds for youth through local ballot measures.

Fall 2025

Launched the inaugural UP Leaders of Tomorrow cohort, which aims to educate and empower youth leaders aged 16-24 in the area of local policy advocacy and coalition-building.

Partner Tools: Policy & Advocacy Resource Hub

The Future Ready policy work is powered by UP Partnership. Key staff members include:

Christina Martinez

Managing Director, Public Engagement

Paul Rodriguez, Ed.D.

Director, Policy & Development

Andrea Ramirez

Andrea Ramirez

Youth Leadership Manager

Jeannette E. Garcia

Jeannette E. Garcia

Director of Communications

Carrie Ballard- Bañuelos