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

Joseph Mathews - Youth Commission Program Coordinator

Joseph Mathews serves as the Board of Supervisors Legislative Intern and Youth Commission Program Coordinator for Riverside County Workforce Development and was previously a member of the County’s Workforce Development Employer Services Team where he worked directly with businesses. Prior to coming to the County, Joseph oversaw the creation and implementation of family, youth, cultural and wellness programming for Morongo Tribal TANF. Joseph earned his BS degree in Counseling from Johnson University in Knoxville, TN and has an MBA through Southern New Hampshire University and is passionate about working with youth in the community.

Ashley Taylor - 1st District YAC Coordinator

Ashley Taylor is the Legislative Intern to First District Supervisor Kevin Jeffries and the Youth Advisory Council Coordinator for First District in Riverside County. Ashley currently attends the University of La Verne, majoring in Psychology. She is also a collegiate softball player and specializes as a third baseman. She is dedicated to her education, her sport, and making a positive impact in her community.

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.

Ashlyn Arnold - 3rd District YAC Coordinator

Ashlyn serves as Third District Youth Advisory Council coordinator and legislative intern for Supervisor Chuck Washington. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology with a concentration in Criminal Justice in spring 2023. She is currently studying at California State University, San Bernadino, pursuing her Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in leadership. She is passionate about being a mentor to the younger generation and being that helping hand wherever they may need.

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.

Alexandra Arias - 5th District YAC Coordinator

Hello, my name is Alexandra Arias and I serve as the Youth Advisory Council Coordinator for the Fifth District under Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez. I am a fourth-year Political Science and Spanish Linguistics double major at the University of California-Riverside. Eager to pursue a career in immigration law, I have been involved in various organizations nationwide including student government, Residential Life, and the National Immigration Forum in Washington D.C. Mentorship is one of my biggest passions and I hope to assist my students as they make positive, lasting impacts in their community.