On Thursday, March 19th, the California State Senate adjourned in memory of our namesake, Senator John Burton.
For all of us at John Burton Advocates for Youth, this moment is deeply personal.
He was remembered alongside friends, family, and former colleagues who, together, shaped an era of leadership and didn’t just pass policy but transformed what the government can do for who it serves.
His belief in young people, especially those navigating foster care and housing instability, wasn’t symbolic. It was actionable. He fought for investments in higher education, housing, and basic needs, creating pathways that thousands of young people rely on to this day.
That legacy is the foundation of our work. It has fueled us as we have passed 56 legislative reforms resulting in $3.6 billion in new state and federal investments to support youth across California since JBAY began.
Every policy we advance, every budget we fight for, every young person we stand beside all traces back to his vision of a California that does more and does better.
As the Senate paused to honor his life, we’re reminded that legacy isn’t just what you leave behind; it’s what others carry forward.
We are proud to carry his name. And we are relentlessly committed to continuing the work he started.