Anthony Angelini Steps In as YES Chair With a Call for Courage and Action
Daniel Jordan 
Angelini Brings Bold Vision to YES Advisory Board
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — When young people in Simi Valley find good jobs, the whole city benefits. Families gain stability. Businesses find reliable workers. The community grows stronger. That’s the mission of the Youth Employment Service (YES). New board chair Anthony Angelini says YES can take that mission to the next level.
Elected unanimously at the August 20 meeting, Angelini stepped into the position with a message that was both lighthearted and serious. He thanked the board for their trust, then laid out how he plans to approach leadership.
“If my guidance is ever needed, I will always lean toward the most ambitious plan, support the boldest vision, and reward the most courageous actions,” Angelini said.
For Angelini, optimism is not just a preference, it’s a decision. He acknowledged that today’s youth face challenges—rising costs, uncertainty in the job market, and pressures in school—but he made clear that he sees hope, not limits.
“The truth is, I’m holding back the instinct to be scared about the future,” he told the board. “Yet even in the face of this, I choose to be an optimist. I choose to believe in the incredible potential of our youth. Just as others once believed in me.”
YES has long been a place where young people can find their footing—through job referrals, interview practice, and career workshops. Each year, hundreds of teens and young adults take part. Under Angelini’s leadership, the goal is not only to continue those efforts but to strengthen them, expand them, and adapt them to today’s fast-changing world.
Angelini’s tone reflects confidence in both the program and the people it serves. He emphasized that the energy of the youth should guide the board’s work.
“Our work carries the spirit and vigor of the youth we serve,” he said. “If you don’t like ambition, don’t leave it up to me.”
That kind of message is encouraging at a time when many families wonder about the future their kids are stepping into. Angelini is signaling that YES will not just prepare youth for jobs, but inspire them to aim higher and see themselves as capable of more.
The program’s impact reaches beyond students. Stronger support for youth benefits families, helps local businesses find skilled workers, and builds a stronger community for the future.
By choosing optimism and boldness, Angelini is setting a tone that could help YES not only serve more youth but also open new pathways for them. His challenge to the board—and to the city—is simple: dream bigger.
The Steady Hand Behind the Scenes
While Angelini provides vision and direction as Chair, much of YES’s daily work is managed by Ryan Fowler, the program’s coordinator. Fowler organizes workshops, connects with local employers, and provides one-on-one coaching for students looking to land their first jobs. He also supports the board by keeping programs running smoothly and ensuring new initiatives reach the youth who need them most.
Fowler’s steady presence gives the board the space to think big. With his focus on operations and Angelini’s push for ambition, YES has both the structure and the leadership it needs to grow.
