WHY CTC?

For the first eighteen years, we are unable to play. For the next eighteen years, we are told it's not our turn. Yet we are “the future of our nation.” That “future” is chronically sidelined for the status quo, as the next generation of leaders is told to wait a generation.

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In 2020, Orion was three days too young to vote in the most important election of a lifetime. He began volunteering to make his voice heard. What he experienced was a sea of passionate activists working towards making their vision a reality, but was 40 years the junior of most volunteers and candidates. 

 

Growing up as a Latino, first-generation American, the American Dream was a pillar of Nathan’s upbringing. He was told that through enough hard work, he could achieve unfathomable heights. However, he quickly learned the American Dream wasn’t perfect, experiencing the systems in place to prohibit him from achieving his dream. 

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Through our lived experiences, what we learned was this. The barrier to entering politics is far too high. Many young people are not afforded the opportunity to participate meaningfully. Even when the drive to step up exists, there is little infrastructure to support it. That’s why we decided to do something about it.

 

Here at CTC, we aim to remap the charter of the political landscape by creating an A-Z support system that promotes youth involvement in the political process. That’s why we created a one-stop shop for political involvement for the next generation of leaders.

 

With our fellowship program, first-time candidate training program, and political consulting division tailored towards electing young candidates across California, we are building a network of prepared young leaders to get involved and receive the institutional support necessary to lead.

 

We will no longer wait on the sidelines for 36 years to pass. The future begins today.

 

Orion Tripodis & Nathan Castillo