Summary
Organization name
Transitional Youth Mobilizing for Change (TYM4Change)
Tax id (EIN)
83-1857419
Address
PO Box 9041Bakersfield, CA 93389
Transitional Youth Mobilizing for Change (TYM4Change) is a California nonprofit organization with a mission to empower youth 16-24 to build skills, achieve their potential, and become agents of change in their communities through research, learning, and action.
We recruit underserved youth who may lack the opportunities that make college and professional employment possible or accessible. TYM4Change empowers young people to (1) learn about their community’s needs, (2) identify and research ways to meet them, and (3) take action–all while building vital leadership, research, and social-emotional skills.
As a result of their participation in TYM4Change, volunteers are prepared for and better able to achieve high school graduation, successfully enter the college of their choice, advance in career-related employment, and grow as individuals–all while directly strengthening their communities. Along with all the other advantages of working in a team to make a real difference in the world, participants may be eligible to receive a monthly stipend in recognition for their hours of service.
Our goal is to empower a diverse team of youth to become agents of change in Southeast Bakersfield, via increased awareness about equity, inclusion, and social justice. Through advocacy at the city and county level, we aim to make significant and sustainable change.
Equity Rise: The Heart of Southeast Bakersfield
TYM4C proudly presents Equity Rise: The Heart of Southeast Bakersfield, a powerful youth-led documentary that premiered on October 9, 2024, at Maya Cinemas in Bakersfield, California. Rooted in in-depth research by local youth, the film explores the systemic barriers facing Southeast Bakersfield, while celebrating the resilience, strength, and determination of its community.
Equity Rise also highlights TYM4C’s ongoing work to revitalize MLK Park through grassroots efforts such as park adoption, garbology studies, harm reduction strategies, and meaningful community engagement.Equity Rise showcases TYM4C’s ongoing efforts to revitalize MLK Park through grassroots campaignns like park adoption, garbology studies, harm reduction initiatives, and community engagement. By amplifying voices often overlooked, the documentary sheds light on critical social issues that may have otherwise gone unaddressed—showcasing the power and impact of youth leadership in Kern County.
Click & watch our film here: Equity Rise: The Heart of Southeast Bakersfield
Tobacco Use Education Prevention (T.U.P.E)
Between October 2019 and February 2020, we partnered with students from The Bridges Academy in Bakersfield to develop an anti-vaping campaign targeted toward students helping their peers and younger kids learn about the dangers of tobacco usage. The result, Capes Up, Vapes Down, has become a staple of our after-school enrichment program, and led to the development of our Radionovelas, Tobacco 411, and The Toxic Truth curricula. We are now working with Kern County school districts to raise awareness among students about tobacco disparities and to find innovative ways to use Capes Up, Vapes Down as part of restorative justice programs for students caught vaping.
Voices 4 Kern: A Youth-Led Podcast
We are proud to announce that we have launched our very own podcast, Voices 4 Kern. This podcast is designed to let our youth voice their opinions. Our topics are youth-led and youth driven based on important topics related to Kern County. Now streaming on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
MLK Park Cleanups
TYM4Change conducted its first-ever Garbology Study on Earth Day in April 2023 at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park (93307), which led to the decision to adopt the park for a minimum of 12 months. Now approaching two years of ongoing park adoption, our commitment includes hosting monthly community clean-ups, maintaining collaberation with Park Officials, and actively engaging with local residents. We chose to center TYM4Change’s efforts in this area of Southeast Bakersfield because MLK Park represents both a cultural gathering space and a complex intersection of public use, including family activities and visible substance use.
As part of our harm reduction work, we formally requested the installation of a sharps container through City Hall to improve safety and cleanliness in the park. We're also collaborating with the City on the upcoming revitalization project for MLK Park, ensuring community and youth voices are taken into account in the planning process. Through consistent community engagement and advocacy, TYM4Change aims to make MLK Park a safer, more inclusive, and vibrant space for families, residents, and all who visit.
Follow us on our socials to stay connected with us!
Instagram: @tym4ckern
Facebook: TYM4Change
YouTube:@tym4ckern
LinkedIn: TYM4Change
TikTok: @tym4ckern
Podcasts: Voices 4 Kern Podcast
Who We Are
Transitional Youth Mobilizing for Change (TYM4Change) is a California-based youth development nonprofit organization with a mission to empower transit...
Organization Data
Bakersfield, CA 93389