Youth Leadership advisory board (YLAB)

While programs like FBLA and SkillsUSA focus on preparing students for business and technical careers through structured competitions and skill-building, the Youth Leadership Advisory Board (YLAB) takes a unique, holistic approach to leadership that prioritizes youth voice, community connection, and personal growth.

1. Inclusive Participation

• Unlike many programs that require high academic achievement, YLAB students are not required to have a high GPA to participate.
• YLAB is open to all students who are passionate about leadership, community service, and making a difference, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility.

2. Guided by the F.A.C.E.S. Curriculum

• YLAB students follow the F.A.C.E.S. Curriculum (Focused Action and Change through Education and Service), which is hosted on an online platform. This approach ensures accessibility for all participants, regardless of their location.
• The curriculum covers essential areas like:
  • Service-learning projects tied to real-world challenges and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Career development and financial literacy.
  • Civic engagement, leadership, and digital literacy.
• Students work through clear benchmarks, such as completing a service-learning project by April and participating in training and awareness campaigns.

3. Youth-Led with Mentor Support

• YLAB is youth-led, empowering students to take charge of decision-making, project development, and advocacy efforts.
• Students are supported by Task Force Mentors, who are heavily vetted and trained in:
  • A code of ethics to guide mentorship practices.
  • Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) to address the emotional well-being of students.
  • The F.A.C.E.S. Curriculum, ensuring mentors can effectively guide students through the program.

4. Focus on Community Connection

• YLAB emphasizes connecting youth to their communities through:
  • Meaningful service-learning projects that address community challenges.
  • Advocacy and civic engagement to foster responsibility and empower students to be active citizens.
• Students’ projects are directly linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), bridging local and global perspectives.

5. Mental Health and Personal Growth

• Mental health is a priority in YLAB, setting it apart from other programs.
• Students receive Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) training between January and March, learning to recognize and respond to signs of mental health challenges in themselves and their peers.
• Through a partnership with NAMI, students participate in the Ending the Silence program, promoting mental health awareness and reducing stigma.

6. Fundraising and Financial Literacy

• YLAB students are tasked with fundraising to attend the NEPA Youth-Led Conference, where they present their work and celebrate their accomplishments.
• Fundraising teaches valuable financial literacy, teamwork, and accountability while helping students contribute to their own success.

7. Benchmarks and Incentives

• Students complete benchmarks throughout the program, including:
  • Two surveys to measure growth (beginning and end).
  • A service-learning project that promotes community awareness during Global Youth Service Month (April).
  • A Reflections Essay summarizing what they’ve learned, with scholarship opportunities for the top three essays.
• Students earn points for meeting milestones, which they can redeem for prizes at the Gifting Suite during the NEPA Youth-Led Conference. These incentives keep students engaged and motivated throughout the program.

• Guided by F.A.C.E.S.: A comprehensive, online curriculum that combines leadership, service, and practical skills.
• Inclusive and Accessible: No GPA requirement, ensuring that any student with a desire to lead and serve can participate.
• Youth-Centered: Students lead the way, with Task Force Mentors providing support and guidance without taking over.
• Mental Health Focus: Training like tMHFA and NAMI’s Ending the Silence gives students tools to support themselves and their peers, fostering emotional resilience.

By blending the F.A.C.E.S. Curriculum, mentorship, and meaningful community engagement, YLAB goes beyond traditional leadership programs. It inspires students to grow as leaders, advocates, and changemakers while creating a lasting impact in their communities. 

• Follow the F.A.C.E.S. Guide (Focused Action and Change through Education and Service).
• Be mentored by Task Force Mentors in their county.
• Go through teen Mental Health First Aid Training.
• Complete a service-learning project & visit the United States Capitol in Washington, DC.
• Learn about the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda & visit the United Nations in New York. 
• Learn and practice leadership and career development skills.
• Attend a 3-day NEPA Youth-led Conference at Kalahari Resorts in the Pocono Mountains, PA (May 6-8, 2025).
• Receive letter of recognition, performance awards and certificates. 
• Receive scholarship opportunities - 3 Scholarships awarded at the NEPA Youth-led Conference.
• Meet and collaborate with students from across the world.