YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD
(YAB)
Our Mission
Our mission is to empower students aged 12-24 by providing a platform for them to share their perspectives, influence educational practices, and take charge of their learning experiences. By nurturing a love for education and lifelong learning, we strive to create a future where young minds can thrive and make significant contributions to their communities and beyond.
Meet the yab
Advisory Board Member
Jahleel
Being a YAB is truly empowering! We have the opportunity to express voices and actively participate in selecting programs and events that contribute to our growth. It's an experience that fosters collaboration and creativity, allowing us to make a real impact in our community. Embrace the journey and let your voice be heard!
Advisory Board Member
Jasmin
As a member of YAB, I cherish the opportunity to express my voice and actively participate in selecting programs and events that contribute to the youth. It's empowering to be part of a community that values our input and fosters personal development. Together, we create impactful experiences that resonate with our passions and ambitions.
Advisory Board Member
Jasmine
Being a YAB is a fantastic opportunity for us to express our voices and actively shape the programs and events that contribute to our growth. I also enjoy listening to our podcast, which adds another layer to our experience. It's inspiring to be part of an organization that values our input and encourages personal development.
Please watch my Environmental Presentation: Learn about Renewable Energy
YAB's PODCAST: CRISIS ERA
Explore
About the Youth Advisory Board
The Single Family Living (SFL) Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is a youth-led initiative that empowers young people ages 12–24 to share their ideas, express their concerns, and help shape the educational experiences, programs, and opportunities that affect their lives.
We believe young people should be more than participants in decisions that impact them—they should be active partners in creating solutions. The YAB provides a platform where youth feel heard, valued, respected, and empowered to become leaders and advocates for themselves and their communities.
Through collaboration, leadership development, mentorship, and meaningful engagement, YAB members help ensure that youth perspectives are included in conversations about education, personal development, mental wellness, career readiness, and community improvement.
What Does the YAB Do?
The SFL Youth Advisory Board works alongside Single Family Living staff, educators, community partners, and other young people to identify challenges, share solutions, and recommend positive changes.
YAB members have opportunities to:
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Share Their Voices: Speak up about issues affecting young people and communicate their ideas, needs, and experiences.
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Influence Educational Practices: Provide feedback on learning environments, academic support, tutoring, afterschool programs, and other educational opportunities.
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Shape Youth Programs: Recommend activities, services, and resources that reflect the interests and priorities of young people.
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Develop Leadership Skills: Build confidence in public speaking, teamwork, problem-solving, decision-making, and advocacy.
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Promote Mental Wellness: Help encourage conversations about stress, emotional well-being, healthy relationships, and access to supportive resources.
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Create Community Change: Identify challenges in their schools and neighborhoods and work collaboratively to develop practical solutions.
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Inspire Their Peers: Encourage other youth to participate, share their perspectives, and take an active role in shaping their futures.
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Support Lifelong Learning: Promote education, personal growth, career exploration, and the importance of continuing to learn beyond the classroom.
How We Work With Youth to Make Their Voices Heard
At SFL, youth voice is more than an opportunity to speak—it is an opportunity to influence decisions and create change.
The Youth Advisory Board creates a welcoming, inclusive environment where young people can share their experiences without fear of judgment. We listen to their concerns, encourage open dialogue, and help transform their ideas into recommendations and action.
Our approach includes:
Listen.
We create opportunities for youth to discuss what matters most to them, including their educational needs, personal goals, challenges, and aspirations.
Close the Feedback Loop.
We strive to share updates with youth about how their ideas are being considered, what actions are taken, and where additional advocacy may be needed. Youth deserve to know that their participation matters.
Engage.
We involve youth in discussions, surveys, brainstorming sessions, focus groups, and advisory meetings to gather honest feedback and diverse perspectives.
Take Action.
We use youth feedback to inform program development, improve services, strengthen educational opportunities, and identify meaningful ways to address community needs.
Collaborate.
We work with youth to identify solutions, develop recommendations, and communicate their priorities to SFL leadership, educators, and community stakeholders.
Become a Part of the Change
Help shape the future.
Are you between the ages of 12 and 24 and ready to make a difference? The SFL Youth Advisory Board welcomes young people who want to share ideas, build leadership skills, advocate for their peers, and help create positive change in their schools and communities.
Join the conversation. Share your perspective. Help shape the future.
Why Youth Voice Matters
Young people bring valuable insight, creativity, lived experience, and fresh perspectives to the decisions that shape their futures. When youth are included in meaningful conversations, schools and community organizations have a greater opportunity to understand their needs and develop programs that work for them.
The SFL Youth Advisory Board recognizes that every young person has a voice worth hearing, ideas worth exploring, and the potential to make a difference.
Your voice matters. Your ideas matter.
Your future matters.
