About Us | Riverside County Youth Commission

About The Youth Commission

On January 6, 1998, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the formation of a countywide Youth Commission to advise the Board of Supervisors on issues relevant to youth in the County. The idea for a Youth Commission arose in 1996 at a Youth Summit in Palm Desert. It was suggested that a Youth Commission be established and act as an advisory board to the Board of Supervisors. Working closely with the Youth Commission, the Board of Supervisors has the opportunity to interact on a personal level with Riverside County youth, better respond to and understand their needs in making policy decisions. In considering the immense size of Riverside County, the Supervisors decided to create five Youth Advisory Councils, one for each Supervisorial District, in order to have more accurate representation from all areas of the county.

The Commission & Youth Advisory Councils provide advice, assistance and recommendations on youth related issues to the Board of Supervisors and County Departments. In addition, the Youth Commission focuses on anticipating the educational, recreational and cultural needs of youth by working together to host meaningful events that the youth will benefit from. The Commission works to ensure the coordination of community resources in order to improve the quality of life of all young people in the County of Riverside.

Community Impact

The Riverside County Youth Advisory Councils consists of 210 high school students from throughout the County. Cumulatively, they volunteered for over 7,950 hours of community service during the past year. If those students were paid California’s minimum wage of $9/hour, they donated the equivalent of over $70,000 in free services to their communities. The website “Volunteering in America” places a value of over $26 per hour for volunteer work, and using this figure the YAC donated nearly $210,000 this year. While in reality it is not possible to place a dollar value on the services they provide, it is important to understand that they are accomplishing real goals, learning incredibly valuable life lessons and making Riverside County a better place for all of us.

Meet the Youth Commission Staff

Rachel Babcock - Youth Commission Program Coordinator

Rachel Babcock has been the Youth Commission Program Coordinator since 2017. Rachel oversees the Riverside County Board of Supervisors Legislative Intern Program through RivCo EDA/WD in partnership with the California Family Life Center (CFLC). Rachel has been with CFLC since 2010 where she has worked with the Youth Opportunity Centers and the Kin Care Program. She is an Alumni of the University of Redlands and has always had a passion for helping others, impacting youth and providing meaningful services to the community.

Jordan Morris - 1st District YAC Coordinator

Jordan Morris is the Legislative Intern to the First District Supervisor Kevin Jeffries and the Youth Advisory Council Coordinator for district one in Riverside County. Jordan participated in the First District Youth Advisory Council when she was a high school student and was pleased to come back as a YAC Coordinator to make an impact on the youth she mentors. Jordan received her Bachelors degree in Sociology and minor in Child Development from San Jose State University and is currently enrolled in a Master's program at USC.

Jacqueline Armenta - 2nd District YAC Coordinator

Jacqueline Armenta is a Legislative Intern to Second District Supervisor Karen Speigel. Jaqueline received her Bachelors degree in Human Development at Cal State San Marcos and is currently in a Master's Program at Cal State San Bernardino. Working with students and making an impact in their lives is what she is passionate about and she enjoys being an active mentor for her youth participants.

Xavieria Terry - 3rd District YAC Coordinator

Xavieria Terry serves as Third District Board Assistant and Youth Adivsory Council Coordinator for Supervisor Washingtons office. She is currently in her fourth year at the University of California, Riverside where she is studying Public Policy and minoring in Political Science. She is passionate about public servitude and helping others.

Anitza Juarez - 4th District YAC Coordinator

Anitza Juarez is the Fourth District’s Youth Advisory Council Coordinator and Legislative Intern for Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. She is currently a student at California State University San Marcos as a Criminal Justice major and Sociology minor, hopeful to receive her Bachelors Degree. She is passionate about the community she grew up in and hopes to serve as a guide to the youth in the council. Coming from a Mexican background and being a first generation college student, she hopes to make her parents and family proud.

Valeria Enciso - 5th District YAC Coordinator

Fifth District’s Youth Advisory Council Coordinator, Valeria Enciso, is currently a senior attending California State University, San Bernardino pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She has a passion for helping her community, developing her council members and all youth, and working with county government.