Youth Advisory Council Accepting Applications

[Howard Hartman]

Youth Advisory Council Accepting Applications

For teen leaders, being selected to County Executive Leggett's youth initiative program helps make a difference among peers and earns SSL credit.

If you are a teen entering grades 7-12 with great community-based ideas, leadership ability, a strong voice among your peers and want to earn student service learning credits, serving on County Executive Leggett’s Youth Advisory Committee is just for you.

The Recreation Department is now accepting YAC applications from teen leaders for the 2007-’08 school year. The deadline is June 22.
“YAC is important in Montgomery County because they provide a voice for our young people,” said Valerie Graham, recreation specialist for Teens at MCRD. “Decision makers often contact us to receive youth feedback about a particular issue, and YAC members are able to inform youth-serving agencies throughout the county about their peers' concerns, interests and needs."

YAC was formed in 1989 to provide Montgomery County youth an opportunity to have a voice in addressing issues that affect their lives. The committee is comprised of 50 middle and high school students from County public and independent schools.

Members plan countywide high school and middle school events such as Battle of the Bands and Chalk Out the Smoke. Through community service projects they promote awareness and healthy decision-making about alcohol, drugs and violence. They also provide support to the Big Buddy Little Buddy Mentoring program, a program that pairs high school volunteers with younger children who live at a shelter for homeless families.

YAC also reaches out on issues of diversity and multiculturalism, life empowerment, leadership and being active and motivated by strengthening students’ voices in the schools. All of this is accomplished by having a direct association with the county government.

“The participants have an opportunity to meet students throughout the county while learning leadership, communication and planning skills,” Graham added. “They get to experience the sense of accomplishment that comes with setting and achieving goals. We hope their experiences with YAC are interesting, educational and fun.”

Members meet approximately twice monthly throughout the school year. Participants serve one-year terms from September through June and are eligible to serve multiple terms. Candidates are nominated from the pool of applicants by the outgoing YAC seniors. Applications are selected to create a committee that reflects the diversity of Montgomery County. Applicants are asked to express how they would make a difference to improve the lives of Montgomery County teens.

To be a member of YAC, applicants must reside or attend school in Montgomery County and be under age 21. Applications are available through the Recreation Department. Call 240-777-6985 for more information and to receive an application.