California Karen Youth Connection

California Karen Youth Connection (CKYC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Karen and non-Karen youth and communities statewide through culturally informed leadership, education, the arts, advocacy, and human services. With a 12-year track record of leadership and community service for the Karen American refugee/asylum population and other vulnerable, underrepresented communities, we serve over 400 individuals annually across the Bay Area, Sacramento County, Central Valley, Kern County, Southern California.

CKYC delivers four core programs and services statewide including College and Career Mentorship Program, Civic Engagement Program, Leadership Development Program, and Arts and Cultural Program. These programs and services are vital to building and transforming the next generation of leaders. As youth develop leadership skills, they become ambassadors of their culture, promoting diversity and inclusion both within the Karen community and in society at large. By engaging in cultural practices, youth and the broader community gain not only a sense of pride in their Karen identity but also a deeper connection to their heritage and each other. The preservation of Karen traditions helps break the cycle of trauma and displacement, offering individuals a space to heal, connect, and thrive, furthermore, by passing down knowledge from one generation to the next. The CKYC ensures that these traditions evolve into sources of strength, collaboration, and opportunity for future generations.