Moana Kofutua, currently serves as the Senior Youth Organizer at YUCA. She is a proud Tongan and has been involved in this work for about five years. She started as a 16-year-old high school student and has since grown into a mentorship role, supporting middle and high school youth in their leadership and professional development.

YUCA has played a significant role in her personal and political growth. She is passionate about organizing, learning, and advocating for both my rights and the well-being of her community. In these challenging times, she remains committed to building people power and continuing the fight for justice.

I’m Raquel, a current Senior, pursuing Ethnic Studies and Media Studies with a concentration in Global & Cultural Studies at UC Berkeley. I’m a lifelong East Palo Alto resident, and I started with YUCA in 2019 when I was only 14 years old. Since then, YUCA has always held a special place in my heart, and I'm happy to say that I’m still able to help YUCA with their social media and marketing efforts, contributing to my future career goals after graduation.

Estefani is a current senior at a local high school. She started at YUCA in 2022 as a core member and has climbed up the pipeline since, currently holding the position of Youth Organizer. Estefani’s interest lies within the environment and creating/maintaining community which she holds as a value. In recent years, she has grown to be a public speaker and advocate for her community.

My name is Dylan Martinez, and I've been at YUCA since May of 2025. I was born and raised in East Palo Alto (EPA). Before I knew about YUCA, I volunteered at schools and the YMCA. YUCA has made me more courageous, more of an upstander, and better informed about my community. During my time at YUCA, I've learned more about housing rights in EPA. If you're looking for a place that will make you feel at home, it's YUCA!

Gabi is a senior in high school, she joined YUCA in 2025 and is currently a Core Member. She has lived in East Palo Alto for the majority of her life and through the work of YUCA, she has grown more passionate about environmental justice and fighting the social inequalities that face her community.

Janelle Velador is a current Junior in High School and has lived in East Palo Alto since childhood. She started off with YUCA in August of 2024 as a member. One of her interests is housing because she believes everyone deserves housing and a place to call home. In the future, Janelle hopes she can continue advocating for her community. 

Litzi is a senior in high school and became involved with YUCA in 2024, her experiences in the community have fueled her dedication to environmental justice and addressing social inequalities. Through her work with YUCA, she continues to develop leadership skills and a strong commitment to create positive change in her community.