Youth Leadership Advisory Board (YLAB)

Program Description

Youth Infusion relies on its Youth Leadership Advisory Board (YLAB) ages 16-18 for guidance to ensure that programs created are appropriate and enjoyable for young people. The YLAB is comprised of teens that are considered high achievers. They are responsible for identifying peers who are struggling in school because of multitude of reasons. One of the most important factors is that peers identify and help fellow peers. This is done through peer-to-peer connection and engagement. 

Oversight, guidance, and mentorship will be provided to the Youth Leadership Advisory Board teens by Youth Infusion’s Youth Leadership Advisory Board Task Force comprised of young professional leaders, entrepreneurs, business owners and University students.

Input, suggestions, and recommendations from the YLAB are key to Youth Infusion’s success. During the school year, students will be working in “HUBS” in their schools and other identified locations on the following goals and objectives:

Goals and Objectives

Goal #1: Community Involvement

Youth Leadership and Advisory Board members will:

• make decisions and recommendations to Youth Infusion staff and Board of Directors regarding community programs and activities for youth.
• exemplify leadership while advising on programs through shared decision-making to transform and create positive social change in their communities.
• engage in Youth Infusion events such as students’ celebrations and community fundraisers.
• organize and advocate on behalf of Youth Infusion and its programs/activities.

Goal #2: Positive Strengthening of Youth Engagement

Youth Leadership and Advisory Board members will:

• Provide recommendations for how to strengthen youth engagement across Youth Infusion activities, including meetings and events.
• Plan Northeast Pennsylvania’s largest conference as part of Global Youth Service Day with a focuse on Diversity Equity and Inclusion as well as The Sustainable Development Goals. Activities are organized in more than 100 countries each April to help mark the celebrations, and engage millions, making it the largest annual celebration of young volunteers. 

Statement of Purpose and Mission Development

Focused Action and Change through Education and Service (F.A.C.E.S.) is a self-sustaining community-based youth development program, providing the knowledge and skills required to prepare young people (aged 13 to 18) for essential participation in their local community and beyond, so as to develop proactive leaders who will have an unyielding impact on the world. F.A.C.E.S. will offer at-risk teens of Northeast, Pennsylvania the foundation needed to plan and implement research-driven social action projects to solve community problems. 

While developing the leadership skills needed to become true agents of change, young people will identify and develop their personal and professional goals, becoming more engaged in schools and their communities.

Program Description

The F.A.C.E.S. program uses portions of “Youth Engaged in Leadership and Learning (YELL)” as its primary curriculum, which was developed by individuals and organizations in partnership with the John W. Gardner Centerfor Youth and Their Communities of Stanford University. The framework of the curriculum is centered on community youth development, and its content is focused on the development of skills and knowledge in three principal areas of leadership:

1. Communication and Interpersonal Skills
2. Analysis and Critical Reflection
3. Positive Involvement in School and Community Affairs

Relevant components of a curriculum developed through the Tiger Woods Foundation called “Tiger’s Action Plan” will also be implemented. Activities and resources will be included to assist young people in identifying and achieving their personal and professional goals. 

This curriculum focuses on three specific areas of youth development:

1. Character Development
2. Volunteer Service
3. Career Exploration

Interactive sessions will include activities such as debates, reflective listening and discussion, visual arts activities involving photography and film, podcasting, music and poetry, role play, presentations by guest speakers, and relevant field trips (Sites include the United Nations, government offices, social service agencies, businesses, and meetings with groups that have made substantial efforts to address community or global issues). 

Guided research and evaluation throughout the program will culminate with youth-led advocacy and action projects, which may include, for example, a school discussion on a controversial topic, the development of a community project, a dialogue with government officials, and/or an online discussion about a particular issue. Each cohort will design its own strategy for addressing the issue which has been determined as most critical.