Form Name: Boards and Commissions A
Unique ID: 1396108384
Applicant Information
Name Idan Kestenbom
Are you a Sunnyvale resident? Yes
How long have you lived in
Sunnyvale?
6 Years
Description Area Residence Notice:Unless otherwise noted, your principal place of residence must be in Sunnyvale. You must live in Sunnyvale at the time of appointment and at all times during service on a board or commission.
Current Main Residence
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Email
Phone
Are you currently a registered
voter in Sunnyvale?
No
Have you ever served on a City of
Sunnyvale board or commission?
No
Have you attended a meeting of
the City Council, or a board or
commission?
Yes
Briefly describe what you learned
by watching or attending a
meeting of the City Council,
board or commission. What
improvements would you
suggest?
During the City Council meeting I attended, I learned how decisions about community issues such as housing, safety, and local events are discussed through a structured and respectful process that includes public input. It gave me a better understanding of how city departments collaborate and how residents' voices can directly influence policy. If I were to suggest improvements, I would recommend making the discussions more accessible to younger residents by simplifying summaries after each topic and increasing online engagement through social media updates or short recaps. This would help more community members, especially students, stay informed and involved.
Have you attended meetings of
the board(s) or commission(s) for
which you are applying?
No
Board or Commission Selection
Idan Kestenbom
Date Received:
Voter registration verified:
On:
By:
10/30/25
N/A
MH
Late
I
First Choice Human Relations Commission
Applicant Qualifications
What motivated you to apply for
this board or commission?
As a student growing up in Sunnyvale, I've seen how much our city values inclusivity, safety, and connection but I've also noticed that youth voices are often underrepresented in civic discussions.
I want to bridge that gap. By serving on the Human Relations Commission, I hope to bring a younger perspective to local conversations about equity, belonging, and mental health. I'm passionate about building spaces where residents of all ages feel heard and supported, and I see this role as a meaningful way to contribute to my community beyond school walls.
What skills or attributes can you
bring to this board or
commission?
As a student leader involved in community outreach and STEM initiatives, I've developed strong communication, collaboration, and project management skills. I regularly help organize events that bring diverse groups together, from robotics outreach to hackathons. I also understand how to listen, research, and present ideas clearly. My generation is deeply connected to technology and social awareness, and I can help the board better engage younger residents through accessible communication and creative problem-solving.
The primary role of a board or
commission member is to provide
advice to City Council on policy
issues that are within the scope
of the board or commission. What
steps would you take to
effectively exercise this specific
board or commission role?
To serve effectively, I would start by familiarizing myself with Sunnyvale's existing human relations initiatives, reviewing recent meeting minutes, and understanding ongoing community
priorities. I would listen carefully to residents' perspectives especially from youth, minorities, and underrepresented groups and use data and research to support recommendations to the City Council. I'd also help promote community events and outreach through channels that reach students and families.
Education – List college degrees,
majors and any relevant training
or experience that demonstrates
your ability to effectively serve
on this board or commission.
I am currently a high school student pursuing a rigorous STEM-focused curriculum that includes AP and honors-level coursework in Computer Science, European History, and
Precalculus. Beyond academics, I actively participate in programs that emphasize leadership, ethics, and public service, including the FIRST Tech Challenge robotics program. These experiences have taught me how to collaborate in diverse teams, approach problems with empathy. My education has given me a strong foundation in research, communication, and data-driven
decision-making that I can apply to civic problem-solving.
Idan Kestenbom
Describe your involvement in
community activities, volunteer
and civic organizations.
I am deeply involved in several community and youth-led initiatives. As Co-Lead of FTC Team Taro #13218, I help organize outreach events introducing students to STEM, host workshops for younger learners, and collaborate with local organizations to promote access to technology education. I also co-lead the Jewish Student Union at my school, where I've helped plan cultural events that encourage unity and understanding across
backgrounds. These experiences have strengthened my
commitment to inclusion, dialogue, and building meaningful connections across different parts of our community.
Description Area The City has a Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials and an Attendance Policy (7.2.19), 2 G (II) that appointed members are required to follow.
Do you have any concerns related
to the above code and policy?
No
Are you willing to accept a
temporary appointment for the
remainder of an unexpired term?
Yes
Board or Commission-Specific Questions
Human Relations Commission
Category One: I'm a Sunnyvale
resident.
Yes
Idan Kestenbom
What do you think are major
equity challenges facing the
Sunnyvale community?
Sunnyvale is one of the most diverse cities in the Bay Area, but that doesn't mean everyone experiences that diversity equally.
The biggest equity challenge right now is housing. Santa Clara County's 2025 Point-in-Time Count reported over 10,700 people experiencing homelessness, and that's not just a statistic, it's families, students, and neighbors. Even for those who aren't unhoused, rent and cost of living are rising so fast that many longtime residents are being displaced. Stable housing directly impacts education, safety, and access to opportunity, so tackling that gap matters for everyone.
Another major challenge is language and access. Almost half of Sunnyvale's residents speak a language other than English, yet a lot of city communication, from community programs to public feedback, still leans heavily on English-only systems. It's not intentional exclusion, but it creates real barriers to participation.
Translating resources and making outreach more multilingual would help more people feel part of civic life.
Lastly, there's the challenge of belonging and representation, especially for marginalized communities and youth. Sunnyvale's Human Relations Commission has already discussed issues like antisemitism and bias incidents, which shows progress, but the work can't stop there. We need to make sure the city feels safe and connected for everyone across faiths, backgrounds, and ages.
I think one of the most powerful steps would be increasing youth involvement in civic conversations, since we experience these equity issues firsthand and can help design solutions that last.
Idan Kestenbom
Describe your experience working
with historically marginalized
communities. How have your
actions benefited these
communities?
Demographic Informat ion
Yourage
Your gender
Description Area
LGBTQIA+ Identity
Race or Ethnicity (select all that
apply)
Do you speak a language other
than English?
Which languages?
Household Income
Residence - Are you a
ldan Kestenbom
Most of my work centers on m aking opportunities accessible for people who are usually left out , especia lly students and underrepresented groups. With my robotics tea m, FTC Team Taro #13218 , I help lead free STEM workshops for younger students, inc luding those from fam ilies without access to cod ing tools or expens ive equipment. We plan sess ions at schools across the distr ict, des ign beg inner-friend ly act ivities , and make sure no one ever has to pay to partic ipate. It's simple changes like that that help more students , especia lly first-generat ion and low- income ones , feel confident gett ing into STEM.
Outs ide of that roles , I've worked on hackathons and youth programs where I've pushed for inclus ive pract ices like clear codes of conduct , prizes in the form of schola rships, and beg inner tracks all to make sure nobody feels like they don't belong in tech or community events. Across everyth ing I do, my goa l is to listen first, ident ify what 's keep ing peop le out, and remove those barriers . I'd bring that same mindset to the Human Relations Comm ission , one that focuses on empathy , access , and turning good intent ions into measurab le change .
LGBTQIA+ Ident ity (LGBTQIA+ stands for Lesbian , Gay , Bisexual , Transgende r, Queer/Quest ioning , lntersex, Asexua l, and the " + " is an all-inclusive way to inc lude addit ional terms used to describe one 's gender, romantic, and sexua l identities for those who do not ident ify with heterosexual ity or the gender binary. ) Do you live in a
Your Agreement
Description Area IMPORTANT NOTICE – READ BEFORE SIGNING:By selecting both “Yes” and “Submit Form” below I am adding my digital signature to this application. I am also agreeing with the following statements:All statements I have made on this application are true and correct.I authorize the City of Sunnyvale (City) to investigate the accuracy of this information.I release the City from all claims and liabilities arising from such investigation.I acknowledge that any false statement on this application will be grounds for the City to deny my appointment. A false statement discovered later, will be grounds to dismiss me from my appointment at any time.I acknowledge that any false statement on this application could lead to criminal charges. Charges could fall under California Penal Code, Section 115 or other applicable law.
I agree Yes
Your full name Idan Kestenbom
Date Oct 25, 2025
Idan Kestenbom