Youth Leadership Institute is hosting a press conference at Fresno City College OAB, Room 114 on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. to discuss the issue of underage drinking in the Fresno County.

This event, called “I Won’t Provide (IWP),” is in collaboration with “The Youth Leadership Institute’s Youth Advocacy Leadership League (YALL) team,” said Daniel Gonzalez, program coordinator of YLI. 

“The ‘I Won’t Provide’ campaign aims to target young adults in their early 20’s as an alcohol access point for minors,” said Gonazlez.

Members at YALL also participate in local Friday Night Live (FNL) chapters. FNL is an organization that prioritizes the positive development of youth, aiming to turn them into leaders by discussing essential topics that affect teens such as substance abuse, driver safety, etc.

In Fresno County, 67% of youth that are drinking obtain alcohol through friends that are over 21, according to a 2019 survey conducted by FNL and YALL. “The data showed that 36% of youth gain access to alcohol through siblings, and 33% obtain it from adult strangers,” said Gonzalez in a media advisory about the press conference. 

Fresno County YALL seek to provide FCC staff and students, as well as the surrounding community, with proper education on the issue at hand. 

 “With the support from eight FNL Chapters across the Fresno County, youth will empower young adult allies to no longer provide to minors,” Gonzalez said.

The event is free to the public, and both students and faculty are urged to attend.