For the first time ever, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission approved a $22 million funding policy under MTC’s CARE Program in November 2025 with additional funding in January 2026 to include and benefit youth that advances the expansion of housing choices and affordability, and reduce car dependency. 

    According to the MTC, the $22 million program is funded by a mix of local, state and federal sources to support a mix of community-based transportation initiatives that have been identified as a high priority by local communities and through community power-building and engagement efforts. 
    Freida Vierra, a Miramonte High School sophomore and change agent motivated by ensuring all youth have the supports needed to reach their full potential, presented her policy proposal during MTC’s competitive high school summer program. Her interest areas include regional transportation, environment, and housing policy solutions.  What started as a curiosity around youth well-being grew to an examination of built-environment, infrastructure barriers young people can face to become healthy, productive young adults who contribute to their communities.  

    "(This) matters deeply to me and young people because many of us rely on public transit every single day,” stated Vierra, who rides public transit five days a week. “Whether we are traveling to school, jobs, internships, sports, or after-school activities, reliable and accessible transportation directly affects our opportunities. When transit works well, it helps us stay connected, involved, and safe. When it doesn’t, it limits where we can go and what we are able to do. That is why including youth voices in this process is so important – we understand these challenges from daily, lived experience."

    MTC’s Community Action Resource and Empowerment (CARE) Program was co-created by the Community Advisory Working Group and community representatives. The Program funds three categories:  Community Power-building and Engagement (Pb+E) Grant and Learning Action Lab, Project Development Technical Assistance for Community-Based Transportation Projects, and Participatory Budgeting Process and Project Implementation. MTC provided grants to 16 community-based organization applicants totaling $1.5 million for Pb+E in November 2025. MTC received 143 grant applications totaling $18.9 million in requests. The program anticipates funding an additional $1 million in January 2026 for Pb+E to accommodate more communities. Total Pb+E grants awarded will be up to $2.5 million.