News & Stories
Youth Voice in Action: My Youth Advisory Council Journey
Image description: 2024-2025 Antrim County YAC students standing together outdoors in a wooded area
As a Youth Advisory Council (YAC) member, I have been able to accomplish so much in my community. Before joining YAC, I often felt like the voices of the youth in a community were often ignored. A lot of young people are told to wait until they are older to try and change the community for the better, but YAC encourages young people to express those very ideas.
When I first joined YAC, I had no idea about the impact it had on our community and those around me. This program truly tries to highlight the voices of the youth, and allow them to take on leadership roles that are unheard of in other activities. Being able to speak up and work together with peers my own age has helped me to become more confident in group settings even outside of YAC.
Before joining YAC, I was very shy and nervous to speak in front of others. This shyness was amplified if I had to talk in front of a group of people, like for a speech or presentation. YAC has helped me overcome this barrier by encouraging me to speak my opinions and ask questions to the presenters. I started to speak up more in meetings, and this helped me speak up more in school and my community. Without YAC, I might still have a fear of speaking in front of people or in groups.
I have been in YAC for three years now, and I have been a leadership committee member for two of those years. No other extracurricular activities have this opportunity for leadership, and the student-led activities provide even more opportunities. YAC has not only been an extracurricular activity; it has been the most important community outreach I have ever been a part of.
The impact that these grants have on local organizations and projects is important to keeping our community afloat. It is rewarding to see that impact during site visits, and to hear the stories of those we award grant money to. YAC has been an extremely valuable part of my high school experience, and I would encourage all students to give it a try. YAC is so much more than a school activity; it is a way to truly impact your community for the better.
Writer: Calista Hoeksema, YAC Leadership Team Member, Antrim County