Partners One Step A La Vez, Conejo Health, Adelante Youth Alliance, and CAUSE Youth from Santa Paula, successfully hosted two youth-led congressional candidate forums this week in Fillmore and Santa Paula as part of a broader voter education and democracy campaign.
The forums invited all officially filed candidates for U.S. House of Representatives District 26. Four candidates participated in the discussions. William Scott, Ian Schantz, Chris Espinoza, and Sam Gallucci.
Designed and led by youth leaders, the forums created a meaningful space for young people and community members to hear directly from candidates, ask substantive questions, and engage in respectful dialogue about the future of the Santa Clara River Valley.
Youth moderators posed questions that sparked thoughtful conversation on a range of issues, including how candidates would remain accessible and accountable to constituents, their positions on immigration, education, environmental protections, healthcare affordability, and economic opportunity.
Larissa Nelson, Youth Program Director for Conejo Health said, “These forums demonstrated the power of youth voice in action. Our young leaders asked informed, courageous questions and helped elevate the priorities of families across the Santa Clara River Valley.”
The events were part of a civic engagement initiative aimed at increasing informed participation and strengthening local democracy. Community members in attendance also participated in a straw poll to identify the top issues facing the region. The results highlighted community safety and immigration as leading concerns, followed closely by healthcare affordability and youth and education.
Diego Guillen, a youth intern who helped plan the forums, emphasized the importance of youth involvement in civic spaces. “Being part of the planning process showed me that young people can shape real conversations with leaders,” Guillen said. “We wanted candidates to hear directly from us about what matters in our schools, our neighborhoods, and our families. It was powerful to see that dialogue happen.”
Liliana De Haro, another youth intern, led her first congressional candidate forum with remarkable poise and confidence. Her presence and preparation demonstrated the leadership development and mentorship central to One Step A La Vez and Conejo Health’s youth empowerment model.
One Step A La Vez extends sincere thanks to Casa Del Mexicano, CAUSE (Central Coast Alliance for a Sustainable Economy), Conejo Health, and Elevate Youth California for their partnership and support in making these events possible. Their collaboration helped ensure strong community participation in both Santa Paula and Fillmore.
About One Step A La Vez
One Step A La Vez is a youth development and community empowerment organization based in Fillmore that serves the communities of Piru and Santa Paula known as the Santa Clara River Valley. One Step creates opportunities for young people to lead, learn, and thrive through education, leadership development, advocacy, and civic engagement. Through programs like Adelante, One Step A La Vez supports youth in developing the skills, confidence, and voice needed to advocate for themselves and their communities while building a more just and inclusive future. #MyOneStep #OSALV
Pedro A Chavez
Executive Director
One Step A La Vez
“Making Positive Changes One Step at a Time”
421 Sespe Ave
Fillmore, CA 93015
Direct: 805.813.3670
Email: Pedro@MyOneStep.org
www.MyOneStep.org
