Through TNOYS’ youth engagement roadmap, young people who have lived the issues have a range of opportunities to have their voices heard in our work, from individual listening sessions to paid work-based learning programs where we invest in them as leaders.
Our flagship program is the 12-month Young Adult Leadership Council. Each October, the YALC welcomes a new cohort of youth and young adults aged 16 – 25 who wish to influence positive systems-change and have lived experience with child welfare, homelessness, juvenile justice, and other systems that serve young people. In addition to centering and amplifying members’ voices, the YALC’s unique structure equips young people to become career-ready so they achieve their goals and continue to grow as leaders and advocates. YALC members explore topics like storytelling, public speaking, leadership, as well as skills like interviewing and resume writing that prepare them for higher education and/or meaningful employment.
Recently, our current YALC members weighed in on how the program is preparing them for the future. They cited career goals such as becoming a firefighter, nurse practitioner, social worker, policy professional, nonprofit leader, and public speaker, and all want to support other youth and young adults like themselves who are systems involved. Read more about their experiences working hand-in-hand with TNOYS’ staff, board, and partners to influence stronger, more equitable services for all young people and how they demonstrate what youth are capable of when they have opportunities to use their voices and when people invest in them.
How has the YALC helped you reach your career goal?
The YALC has prepared me to be able to speak publicly, and use the proper terminology when it comes to sharing my lived experience.
It helped me get as far as I needed to be in order to start what I actually want to do. It also gave me more knowledge and lessons so I can finally have the courage to take a chance to reach my goal.
The YALC has helped me reach my goals by keeping me motivated. It has also helped me come out of my shell a little bit socially and helped with time management.
What are some skills you developed in the YALC that you think will help your career? How did you practice these skills while on the YALC?
Public speaking & networking. I practiced these skills at the TNOYS Town Halls and also at Annual Conference.
I learned how to have better time management skills and to manage my schedule. With YALC, we had lots of opportunities to manage our schedule with home assignments and different events.
I have learned how to gauge an audience. I have learned how important it is to keep your audience engaged. {I have also learned about} different professional terms, and working with different personalities.
Why are these skills important for young people starting higher education or entering the workforce?
These skills can be important because if your time isn’t managed well it can lead to a lot of extra mental strain and for your work/assignments not to be turned in with your best effort. Social skills are important because they can help you build connections.
These skills are important because in the workforce you have to engage with many different people and you have to know how to remain professional.
These skills are important because in the real world, once you leave high school, you are really in charge of your schedule and managing your time tables.
How can the YALC benefit other young people? How can the YALC help other young people reach their own goal and navigate barriers?
The YALC can help other young people by giving them a sense of community. Everyone in the YALC has lived experience and oftentimes, very similar experiences. This can help youth who have a hard time connecting or trusting people. The YALC can help other young people by offering opportunities that youth with lived experiences never had, like speaking at events or attending listening sessions or town halls.
The YALC can benefit other young people because it helps them educate one another on barriers in life and how to assist one another with emotional support. We can help young people reach their own goals and navigate barriers by guiding them with the wisdom and knowledge of our own experience.
YALC benefits other young people because it educates and gives you the space to use the education you received on the YALC to educate others.
Why should other youth and young adults join the YALC?
Other youth and young adults should join the YALC if they are interested in growing: not only career-wise but mentally and spiritually as well. Being a part of the YALC gives access to a lot of opportunities to not only help others but find yourself in the process. It isn’t easy to allow yourself to be vulnerable but once you see the work that TNOYS does and are able to participate yourself, taking a chance pays off.
Other youth and young adults should join because it allows youth to have a platform to truly grow as leaders and learn to use their voice in different spaces.
Because the YALC is awesome and it’s one of the best experiences I’ve ever had hands down. YALC is a great way to expand your horizon, empower yourself, and use your voice to help others.
TNOYS is incredibly proud of our 2023 – 2024 YALC members and we can’t wait to see what’s next in store for them!
Do you know a young person with lived experience who wishes to grow as a leader and be part of positive systems-change? Applications for the 2024 – 2025 YALC cohort are now open! Learn more and apply here.