A logo for Colibri Youth Collective featuring a stylized hummingbird above the letters CYC, with a sun and two abstract human figures surrounded by leaves, and the slogan 'Growing Leaders. Building Community. Inspiring Hope.'

Reimagining What’s Possible

Colibri Youth Collective helps schools, expanded learning programs, and youth-serving organizations create spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and empowered to lead before crisis becomes the only point of intervention.

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Belonging is prevention, and youth voice is where possibility begins.

  • Colibri Youth Collective is a youth wellness and leadership organization committed to helping schools and youth-serving communities build stronger systems of belonging, prevention, and possibility.

  • We believe young people should not have to reach a point of crisis before they are seen, supported, and surrounded by care. Our work is rooted in the belief that belonging is prevention, leadership is healing, and youth voice is essential to building stronger communities.

  • We partner with schools, expanded learning programs, districts, community organizations, and youth-serving teams that want to strengthen wellness, leadership, connection, and prevention-centered support for young people.

Visionary Services

  • Student-centered experiences that build belonging, confidence, resilience, identity, and youth voice.

  • Practical training for educators, expanded learning staff, and youth-serving adults rooted in connection, trauma-informed care, and prevention.

  • Support for organizations developing inclusive program culture and youth-centered curriculum that reflects their students, staff, and community.

  • Keynotes, panels, and facilitated conversations rooted in resilience, hope, belonging, and the belief that untapped potential lives inside every young person.

Explore Services

Built for the Spaces Where Youth Development Really Happens

Child working on a worksheet at a school table with candy and treats nearby
A classroom or conference room with children raising their hands. A presentation on a large screen displays a quote about new opportunities and making the world a better place. Some children are seated on benches, and others are standing, using their phones or talking. The room has a wooden floor and ceiling lights.
Students and teacher working together at a classroom table with books, tablets, and a laptop.
A classroom setting with a woman raising her hand. She has long, dark hair tied back and is wearing a dark T-shirt with a circular logo related to leadership, education, and youth empowerment. In the background, there is a man in a blue shirt and cap, standing near a whiteboard, with other people seated around a conference table.

CYC is designed for the spaces that live between school, community, and youth development. Our work helps programs build belonging, wellness, youth voice, and leadership into the everyday moments where young people are already showing up.

The CYC Framework

Our work is rooted in a simple belief: when young people experience belonging, voice, wellness, and leadership, prevention becomes part of the system.

Students raising their hands in a classroom during a presentation, with a large screen displaying a motivational message about a new day and opportunities.

Belonging

We design youth-centered spaces where students feel seen, known, and valued. CYC does this through identity-based activities, relationship-building circles, mentorship structures, culturally responsive programming, and experiences that help young people connect to themselves, their peers, and trusted adults.

A group of children in a library or classroom, with two girls standing and speaking to a group, while three boys stand in front of her. There is a large screen displaying the words 'The End' and a classroom setting with tables and chairs.

Youth Voice

We help young people practice leadership, advocacy, and self-expression in real ways. CYC does this through youth leadership workshops, student ambassador models, service projects, public speaking opportunities, student feedback systems, and spaces where youth are invited to shape the programs meant for them.

A classroom filled with students working on laptops and notebooks, with a teacher standing at the front near a large screen displaying a presentation on the Fowl Matrix. The classroom has educational posters and an American flag on the wall.

Wellness

We support wellness before crisis becomes the only point of intervention. CYC does this through non-clinical SEL workshops, coping skill development, emotional awareness activities, wellness campaigns, reflective practices, and staff training that helps adults recognize and respond to student needs with care.

Classroom with a large digital screen displaying a group activity plan: Define Problem, Create Solution, Explain Impact, 60 Sec Pitch. The classroom walls are decorated with motivational posters, rules, and schedule outlines.

Systems Change

We help youth-serving organizations move from good intentions to stronger systems. CYC does this through program design, expanded learning consulting, professional development, partnership planning, and prevention-centered strategies that make belonging, leadership, and wellness part of everyday practice.

A person speaking at a podium with a USC logo, wearing glasses, a white shirt, and a brown vest.

“Every child, every space, and every moment holds the possibility to grow belonging, youth voice, wellness, and change.” -Alessia Garcia, Founder

Meet the Founder

Founded by Alessia Garcia, USC MSW Candidate, PPSC Candidate, veteran, youth advocate, and foster/adoptive parent, Colibri Youth Collective is shaped by lived experience, expanded learning leadership, and a deep commitment to building systems where young people are seen before they are in crisis.

Alessia’s work is rooted in the belief that every child deserves spaces where their voice matters, their story belongs, and their future is worth building around.

Read Alessia's Story