The Youth Advisory Committee is a diverse group of teens ages 13-19 who are student ambassadors for North Shore Youth Council. They empower young people to become involved in their schools and communities through service projects, community events, charity, and education. YAC serves as a peer-to-peer drug resistance and prevention model whose programs extend into the community through collaboration with schools, local businesses, and a variety of projects and agencies. Their flagship programs include Open Mic Night, the Big Buddy-Little Buddy mentoring program, food drives, Habitat for Humanity build events, fundraising at local VFW Halls, and establishing a greater reach within the community.
NSYC's Youth Advisory Committee is unique for providing fresh perspective on the implementation or enhancement of programs and services that will help guide positive behaviors and prevent destructive decisions, violence, bullying, and substance abuse in adolescents.
They meet bi-weekly to discuss current issues such as the opioid epidemic, social pressures, and mental health wellness, and make recommendations to the Board of Directors as to how they can best serve today's youth and teens to help them live positive, healthy lives.
Guiding Principles
Through empowerment, young people know they are valued by their peers and the adults in their communities.
Through involvement, young people serve useful roles in their schools, families, and communities.
Through volunteering, young people provide service to others in the community. Through respect, young people feel safe in their community.
2023 Youth Advisory Committee Board
Emma LaRosa President
Matteo Gravinese Vice President
Olivia Grafer Treasurer
Ryan Fryer Secretary
The Youth Advisory Committee is always looking to expand and bring in new members. No special skills are necessary, just a genuine interest in youth issues and a willingness to commit to being a team player. Opportunities are available for job readiness, earning community service hours, developing skills in meeting procedures, working with the media, advertising, community consultation, public speaking, and decision making. YAC meets every other Friday from 6:30-7:00PM at the NSYC office--attend a meeting at any time!