Teens, Grab a Seat at the Table: Join a Youth Advisory Board

Adolescents make up nearly 13% of the U.S. population. That’s close to 43 million individuals with unique needs, perspectives and dreams. As a group, they are, quite literally, the future — and yet, their voices aren’t always fully heard or appreciated. Youth Advisory Boards are one way organizations can empower teens, while benefiting from their distinctive position in our society.

What is a YAB?

Although the specific goals may vary for different entities, a Youth Advisory Board is a way for organizations to receive input from a younger generation. For example, a YAB can help improve youth programming and services or increase adolescent engagement and outreach. Benefits for teens who participate in a YAB include resume building, professional skills, peer relationships and the chance to positively impact their community.
Locally, many institutions incorporate YABs. These collaborative relationships can be beneficial for both parties.

Tulsa PAC YAB

Tulsa’s Performing Arts Center recently established its own YAB, which is open to students in grades 9-12 through an application process. Members meet every other month throughout the school year. According to Pete Otis, Tulsa PAC director of development, each cohort will develop its own mission and goals, with guidance from the PAC staff and the TPAC Board of Trustees. Among the activities planned for this year’s YAB is to help develop the organization’s newest community engagement program, Prism, which will primarily serve Tulsa-area LGBTQIA+-identifying youth.

“Our goal is to build a community of lifelong arts patrons who are passionate about increasing access to the arts for the broader Tulsa community,” Otis says. “The YAB represents our commitment to cultivating that passion in the next generation and providing an opportunity to learn more about nonprofit arts organizations. We hope our YAB cohorts learn the importance of arts access and education and how that translates to health and well-being, both mental and physical, on an individual level but also for society in general.”

Little Light House YAB

Sara Emery is the director of volunteers for Little Light House, a nonprofit developmental center that provides specialized education and therapy services for children with disabilities. Emery says working with the organization’s YAB is one of the most rewarding parts of her job.

The board, which has been around for about a decade, is open to high school students, ages 14-18, through an application and interview process.

“YAB members spend 10 hours volunteering in a classroom over the summer, volunteering at events, and fundraising for and planning their main event, Fall Fest,” Emery says. “They learn the ins and outs of LLH during the year, and then put all of that together as they secure sponsors, vendors, make games and signs, and fully execute a free event for our families. We have over 100 students who apply, and we take 40. For the last two years, they have raised over $70,000.”

Eighteen-year-old Hannah Linsenmeyer is the current president of the LLH YAB. She’s been a volunteer at LLH since she was 14, during which time she’s volunteered over 400 hours with the organization. She says the experience has taught her how to lead and listen, spark conversation with others, and how to take personal responsibility when things go wrong.

“I love having a role in helping LLH reach and impact children and families. Volunteering with the kids is always such a joy,” she says. “I love being a part of a bigger mission to help and support children with special needs and their families.”

Seventeen-year-old Kynlee Schultheis is LLH YAB’s social media chairperson. She’s been on the board for three years and is grateful for the opportunity it’s given her to work with both the kids and their families. She particularly likes volunteering in the classroom where she can interact with the children.

“I’ve learned all about the nonprofit world and worked with my peers to plan, fundraise, and execute our [Fall Fest] event,” she says of her time at LLH. “This has taught me life skills and helped me build meaningful connections with Little Light House.”

Youth Services of Tulsa YAB

Youth Services of Tulsa’s YAB was established in 2014, but according to Angela Hudson, YST youth leadership specialist, the board has become much more active in the last two years. The board meets twice a month, and members also work on projects outside of the meeting hours. YST YAB is open to individuals ages 12-24 through an online application process. There are two terms each year, one that corresponds with the school year, and a second, shorter summer term. As an added bonus to serving, members receive $10 worth of QuikTrip gift cards for each hour they devote to YAB work.

“Serving on the Youth Advisory Board is designed to be more than a volunteer role—it’s an opportunity for young people to grow, lead and feel genuinely valued,” says Hudson, who also notes that the YST YAB is essential to the organization.

Hudson says that input from the board allows YST to build better programs and keeps the organization connected to the realities that youth are experiencing, while giving board members a sense of empowerment, agency, community and belonging  and teaching them leadership and advocacy skills.

“Over the past few years, we have worked very intentionally to build a YAB that truly represents the youth of Tulsa – diverse in experiences, backgrounds, strengths and personalities,” she says. “We welcome any young person who is interested. You don’t need perfect grades, extroverted energy or a long list of accomplishments. All it takes is someone who cares about their community, wants to make a difference, and is willing to show up and grow alongside others. Everyone has something valuable to contribute, and there’s a place for you at YAB.”