Youth Advisory Council
| Date | June 12, 2024 |
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| 1. How did you hear about YAC and why are you interested in joining? What specific qualities would you bring to the council? | I heard about YAC from my close friends who are currently part of the organization and my older sister who was a former president. Some qualities I feel I would bring to the group are creativity , feedback, and problem solving. I enjoy working with my peers to help create opportunities for the community. |
| 2. What does community service mean to you and how have you been impacted by community service? | Community service is how we are able to give back to the community, neighbors around us and help those in need. Community service has taught me to be empathetic and really connect with those in my community. |
| 3. YAC has identified the following youth issues as concerns in our community: (a) Academic pressure, (b) Mental health, (c) Vaping/e-cigarettes. Choose one of the issues. Discuss steps you would recommend taking to address the concern. *Write a minimum of 200 words | I would address the problem of mental health. The first step I would take to address this issue would be to create awareness within the community. One way to start this would be creating a survey addressing specific mental health crisis impacting our community specifically (ex. Depression, anxiety, bipolar). Once this data is collected we share it with the community and make specific actions plans to address these needs. For example this could be funding a grant project that provides free mental health services at a walk in clinic on Saturday mornings for community members. An issue that could arise for the youth in the community is limited access to an opportunity like this due to transportation. To help combat this issue clinics could be offered in the schools during school hours. Another challenge may be students apprehension to ask for help. Another resource for students could be anonymous online counselors which can help provide assistance for youth that they may not be comfortable asking their parents or others for help face to face. This process would require funding and have to be carried out in multiple steps. If carried out properly it could help address the needs of the community and encourage others to help their neighbors in the community. |
| 4. If accepted to YAC, how will you prioritize your commitment to the organization? What extra-curricular events/activities might interfere with your YAC participation? | If I am accepted into YAC I will make it a priority to come to all meetings and attend as many community service events as possible. I do play 3 varsity sports but I am able to communicate with coaches about prior commitments to ensure I will be in attendance. |
| 5. Have you applied for YAC membership in the past? If so, when? | No |