The Youth Participatory Action Research Model is a system through which youth in communities are trained to research issues in their communities, the roots of different institutions and societal structures, and how to lead and create long-term, sustainable change.

Oakland HOPS uses the YPAR model to engage youth in the community to actively participate in different issues. Youth are those who know most about their environments and have unique experiences & valuable perspectives.

The YPAR Model encourages an equitable sharing of power between adults and youth, to benefit and teach eachother. Building these advocacy skills and encouraging action creates the next-generation of changemakers.

The Oakland HOPS Youth Advocate team uses the YPAR model in a range of ways. From interviewing Oakland residents to conduct hands-on research of checkout lanes, we actively engage the community to create the change that works best with our town.

We relate our own stories with food equity in Oakland to the issues at hand, using photovoices and root cause analysis. Our team works closely with city council to advocate for our residents and lead to a long-term change.