Two teens smile and embrace

Youth Advisory Board

The TeamChild Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is a collective of youth and young adults from around Washington state who use their lived experience and expertise to advocate for impactful change within community and youth serving systems through storytelling, community education, and policy reform.

Interested in making change? We’re always looking for new young advocates to join the team.

Who Can Join

  • Youth and young adults between the ages of 14 and 24

  • Residents of King County, Pierce County, Yakima County, Spokane County, Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) facility  

  • Qualify as low-income  

  • Identify as Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) or LGBTQIA+ 

  • Have lived experience in at least one of the following:

    •  Juvenile legal system

    • Homelessness

    • Unfair school discipline

    • Special education

    • Foster care

    • Disability

    • Inpatient mental health treatment facility

    • Legal representation 

A young black man with a beard smiling

What the YAB Does

If you join the YAB, you will:

  • Share your lived experience to create change in the systems that impact youth in the juvenile justice system.

  • Provide input on TeamChild communications, community engagement, policy, litigation, and advocacy strategies.

  • Share your opinions during TeamChild’s strategic planning and hiring processes.

  • Participate in fundraising efforts. 

How to Apply

Interested in joining the YAB? Contact Porsche Phelps at Porsche.Phelps@TeamChild.org to learn more.