FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Children First: Leading Together is a thirty-minute ABC30 special focused on youth leadership, civic engagement, and the importance of creating safe, respectful spaces for young people to be heard.
Hosted by Action News anchors Dale Yurong and Christina Lopez, the special highlights programs and individuals across the Central Valley who are helping students develop communication skills, leadership confidence, and a sense of responsibility to their communities. Leading Together airs Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 6:30p.m. It’s also available wherever you stream.
Through classrooms, youth programs, and community partnerships, Leading Together explores how young people are learning to step up, speak out, and take action on issues that matter to them.
Stories Featured in Leading Together
Creating Space for Student Voices – Sanger
In Sanger, school leaders found a way to address student concerns around immigration enforcement by giving students structured opportunities to share their thoughts and experiences.
Learning Civic Leadership – Clovis Youth Commissioners
Students in Clovis are gaining firsthand experience in local government through the city’s Youth Commission program. Youth Commissioners work alongside city leaders, learn how decisions are made, and provide input on issues affecting their community. The program introduces students to civic responsibility through mentorship and active participation.
Building Leadership Through Service – Girl Scouts
This segment looks at how Girl Scouts are developing leadership skills beyond traditional activities. One local teen has partnered with Fresno State to help brighten up part of a campus food pantry program, demonstrating how youth-led service projects can make a direct impact in the community.
Civic Engagement in the Classroom – University Prep High School
Students in Mr. Figueroa’s civics class at University Prep High School in Visalia are learning the importance of getting involved and finding causes they care about. Through hands-on projects, students are encouraged to identify real-world issues and work toward solutions. One student is taking action to help address the feral cat problem in Visalia.
Finding Purpose and Identity – El Joven Noble Program
At Citrus Middle School in Orange Cove, the El Joven Noble program helps boys build character and leadership through a culturally based curriculum from the National Compadres Network. Over ten weeks, participants explore personal growth, social responsibility, and ways to break harmful stereotypes within their communities.
Youth Leadership – TCOE CHOICES Program
Jayda Freitas, a student from Tulare Union High School, is featured for her involvement in the Tulare County Office of Education’s CHOICES Program. Through civic engagement opportunities, she has taken on leadership roles at the county level and is helping encourage other students to become involved in community decision-making.
