Riverside County youth commission sets April 17 summit on financial literacy, college pathways

The Riverside County Youth Advisory Commission announced plans for its annual Youth Summit, scheduled for April 17, 2026, at the Mead Valley Community Center in the county's 1st District. The commission confirmed summit topics chosen earlier by the youth commissioners: college experience, financial literacy and career pathways.

The chair said the summit is fully organized and youth-led, and commissioners emphasized hands-on programming. A District 1 co-commissioner described last year’s summit as a place where students “heard from real-time professionals about financial literacy” and said the commission hopes to replicate mentoring and workshop formats that connected students with department heads and career mentors.

Kelly Smith, co-commissioner for the 3rd District, said District 3 is preparing webinars and social-media outreach to increase participation and help students connect with college alumni and guidance counselors. “We are also planning a ‘leave a note, take a note’ activity to address mental health and destigmatize asking for help,” Smith said.

District 5 commissioners noted partnerships that will support summit programming, including presentations and workshops coordinated with Riverside University Health System and University of California, Riverside affiliates. Commissioners also flagged an April 23 college-and-career forum at Beaumont High School as part of broader outreach tied to summit planning.

Staff said the commission voted on summit topics at a prior meeting and will include summit outcomes in the youth commission’s annual report to the Board of Supervisors in June 2026. The commission’s next regular meeting is scheduled for May 21, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.