Youth Advisory Councils | Michigan Organizatio

MOASH’s YAC Collective is a group of five different youth advisory councils, or YACs.

A YAC is a group of young people working together to advance adolescent sexual health in MI while building personal and professional knowledge and skills. YACs are youth-driven, with support from adult MOASH staff facilitators and youth co-facilitators. While each YAC has its own focus of work and individual projects, all work in tandem throughout the year to increase statewide impact, build youth relationships and cultures of support among youth and facilitators, optimize collective capacity, and provide a structured and consistent experience for youth development.

Purpose: The goal of the YAC Collective is to improve Sexual and Rreproductive Health and wellness (SRH) among Michigan youth, particularly among youth who experience systemic marginalization or discrimination. This includes promoting traditional health outcomes (reduced STIs, unintended pregnancies, and sexual violence) as well as positive youth development outcomes (increased SRH empowerment and sex positive culture).

YACs meet at least monthly and participate in the following activities throughout the year:

Social bonding and community building with other youth
Training on sexual health topics and leadership skills
Giving feedback (through surveys, focus groups) on youth programs, policies, and resources from other organizations
Planning and hosting their own YAC projects, presentations, and events

What's the YAC Collective?

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Michigan Young Parents Advisory Council

Who?

Michigan expectant & parenting youth ages 13-24

What?

members are involved in various youth advocacy efforts throughout the year and use their voices of experience to improve services for expectant & parenting young people across Michigan
recieve chestfeeding and doula training to create a community, peer based culture of support for young parents
undergo leadership develpment
gain communication skills
develop educational materials to normalize infant consumption of, and access to, human milk and advance policies to protect human milk and body feeding
lead trainings for adults who work with expectant and parenting youth

Where?

young people residing in Berrien County
a combination of virtual and in-person meetings

Why?

to ensure youth voice is integral in creating services, programs, and materials that are based on lived experience, which ensures materials are engaging and applicable for expectant and parenting youth
to cultivate a culture of support, peer education, and community connection for expectant and parenting young people in Michigan

Michigan Youth Faith Advisory Council

Michigan Youth of Faith is a new interfaith-based YAC seeking to work towards healing and justice in the areas of faith, sexual and reproductive freedom, and LGBTQ+ rights.

MY Faith will work with religious institutions, faith-based organizations, queer youth of faith (QYOF), and those who love them across Michigan to address sexual and reproductive health justice in the state. MY Faith provides a space for youth to exist in their queer and/or spiritual identities.

Youth ages 16-24 will participate in sexual and reproductive health advocacy work, healing discussions that seek to bridge the historical and current gap between faith groups and the LGBTQ+ community, and other activities related to these issues as decided by the group.

Michigan Youth Racial Equity Council

MY REC (Michigan Youth Racial Equity Council) is a youth-led project where people between the ages of 13-24 are paid to receive the education, support, opportunities, and resources necessary to become leaders and advocates addressing important issues related to racial justice, sexual health education and services, and reproductive justice. Members must identify as a person of color (BIPOC), be between the ages of 13-24, and live within the state of MI.

Michigan Youth Sexual Health for Adolescents Rooted in Equity

MY SHARE (Michigan Youth Sexual Health for Adolescents Rooted in Equity) informs MOASH's SHARE program which includes sexual health and healthy relationship curriculum review by youth who hold the following identities: rural youth, LGBTQIA+ youth, and youth of color.

Michigan Youth Voice

Who?

Michigan youth ages 16-21 (younger youth may be accepted on a case by case basis)
there is no specific criteria for members within MY Voice, but each year we try to prioritize diversity in different ways

What?

members are involved in various youth advocacy efforts throughout the year and use their voices of experience to improve services for youth across the state
receive training on a variety of sexual health topics
undergo leadership develpment
gain communication skills
work on advocacy efforts

Where?

young people residing anywhere in Michigan are welcome to apply
most meetings are solely offered virtually, but MY Voice has a few in-person meetings throughout the year. If you cannot make it in person, you will be able to attend virtually.

Why?

to inform the services, programs, and materials created for youth by MOASH and other community partners

Interested in partnering with our YACs on a project or event? Fill out the YAC Partnership Request Form below!

Eligibility

Applicants must be between the ages of 13-24 and live in Michigan. Different YACs have different age ranges and eligibility criteria based on grant requirements and scope of work. We strongly encourage Black youth and youth of color, youth with disabilities, youth in rural areas, youth living with HIV, expectant and parenting youth, and LGBTQIA2S+ youth to apply. Visit our application info document for helpful details and more info!

Expectations

Want to join a YAC?

Each individual YAC meets monthly based on member availability for one grant cycle (typically one year from October through September). All groups that form the YAC Collective meet quarterly (four times a year) at one large meeting together. We expect members to be able to attend most of the meetings. While we will have a mix of in-person and virtual meetings next year, all meetings will have a virtual join option for member safety, comfort, and accessibility.
Members are expected to consistently communicate both their availability and capacity in a timely manner to ensure effective collaboration
Authenticity (show up as your whole self, whatever that looks like)
It is also expected that members will complete some additional tasks between meetings, if necessary (like when we run out of time at meetings, have an urgent request for youth feedback or are engaging in a special project)
We expect members to help to create a safe and affirming environment both for themselves, their advisors, and their peers
Members should be passionate about youth advocacy work and inclusivity, regardless of previous experience (or the lack thereof)
Permission from a parent or guardian is required for those ages 17 and under

Fair compensation for your time ($20/hr), expertise, and travel as well as meal support at meetings (in the form of gift cards for online meetings)
Opportunities for leadership development
Training on a variety of sexual and reproductive health and social justice topics
Participation in social media campaigns
Opportunities to give feedback on sex education curricula and other youth advocacy project
Participation in panels and events
Other advocacy work relating to youth rights

Members have a lot of say over what happens throughout the year and we're always open to youth feedback. At all times, youth voice is the priority - feel free to offer ideas about how we can best make YACS work for youth.

of MOASH

of Members

MY REC Youth Co-Facilitator

Anamika S.

(she/her)

Anamika (she/her) is a senior at Pioneer High School. She sees her knowledge and experience in advocacy as an ever growing source and is always ready to learn something new. Along with reproductive justice, she is also a big advocate for encouraging student interest and engagement in STEM subjects and runs presentations for elementary schoolers in the Ann Arbor area through her club, Girl Up. She has been a youth member since 2022 and is excited for what is to come in her new role.

MY Voice Facilitator

Gray O.

(he/him)

Grayson Old (he/him) is the facilitator for the Michigan Youth Voice Council, a Youth Advisory Council (YAC) run by MOASH. Grayson is a community educator working towards his certification in teaching sexual education. He is currently a student at Eastern Michigan University where he studies Gender and Human Sexuality. He is a queer activist at heart that speaks on trans inclusivity and racial equity in the classroom. On the side, Gray is your local sex shop keeper and will answer all your questions when it comes to toys, relationships, and pleasure.

MY PAC Youth Co-Facilitator

JaVonna B.

(she/her)

As a hardworking community member, JaVonna is a tireless advocate for local youth, and lends her voice to important causes. Javonna also serves as the Worship Team Leader at her church, where she inspires others through her musical talents and strong faith. JaVonna is a force to be reckoned with, passionately dedicated to empowering young parents. As a devoted wife and mother of two under two, she's navigated the joys and challenges of early parenthood firsthand. Now, JaVonna's mission is to be the voice for youth, guiding them through the rewarding yet daunting experience of starting a family at a young age. With her hard-won wisdom and unwavering support, JaVonna is a beacon of hope for the next generation of young parents.

MY SHARE Co-Facilitator

Kristen H.

(they/them)

Kristen (they/them) works with the Sexual Health for Adolescents Rooted in Equity (SHARE) program. Kristen graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Women’s & Gender Studies from the University of Toledo in 2017 and has been working within reproductive healthcare and advocacy since then. Their most cherished experiences in this work include: coordinating a multi-county clinic escort program, helping over 1,800 people access abortion care after June of 2022, and guiding youth to advocate for their bodily autonomy and live authentically. Kristen's facilitation approach is rooted in radical honesty & community building. Both in work and at home they strive to destigmatize conversations and services involving sexual health and reproductive healthcare services. On any given day you can find Kristen daydreaming in Ypsilanti, MI where they reside with their wife, cat, and bearded dragon.

MY SHARE Youth Co-Facilitator

Dale K.

(he/him)

Dale (he/him) is passionate about healthcare provider education, with a specific focus on advancing access to exceptional care for LGBTQIA+ youth and decreasing heteronormativity in healthcare.

MY SHARE Youth Co-Facilitator

Hailey G.

(any pronouns)

Hailey (any pronouns) is a student at the University of Michigan double majoring in psychology and women’s and gender studies. Hailey is a research assistant on multiple projects studying feminist psychology and resilience amongst queer youth. Hailey is passionate about creating liberating and empowering spaces for queer youth and dialogue facilitation. They enjoy poetry, reading, learning about activist movements of the past and presents, and hiking.

MY SHARE Co-Facilitator

Jarred D.

(he/him)

Jarred (he/him) is a Black Queer Muslim born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Grand Valley State University in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Jarred is a transplant to Michigan with an interest in poetry, anime, and comics. He is inspired by the works of Audre Lorde, Maya Angelou, and Octavia Butler. He has used their teachings to support his work in assisting victims/survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence to find empowerment. His own praxis of healing modalities focuses on using Black feminist thought and Afro-futurism to transform racialized and gendered harm into liberation and self-determination. Jarred also holds the title of Sarah Hegazy Fellow through Queer Crescent bringing together his faith background to intersect in all the work he is devoted to.

MY PAC Facilitator

Kyna K.

(she/her)

Kyna (she/her) was born and raised in Benton Harbor, a community that has faced numerous challenges—especially for our youth—I have always been driven by the resilience of our people. For over 20 years, I have committed myself to empowering young voices, helping them discover their own resilience and strength in the face of adversity. I am passionate about guiding youth to recognize their potential, even in environments that often test it. As a seasoned parent of five adult children and a nana to three boys, I bring both personal and professional experience to my work. Currently, I serve as a MY PAC Youth Facilitator, where I create opportunities for youth to express themselves, develop leadership skills, and build the confidence to navigate their futures. With a bachelor's degree in community service and a concentration in family systems, I have worked across a variety of youth-centered programs, always placing trust and transparency at the forefront of my approach. Benton Harbor has taught me the power of perseverance, and my mission is to help the next generation of young leaders harness that same strength to overcome the obstacles they face. My "why" continues to evolve, but my heart for the people and my commitment to fostering youth resilience remain constant.

MY Voice Youth Co-Facilitator

Divya R.

(she/her)

Divya (she/her) is the youth co-facilitator for the Michigan Youth Voice Council, a Youth Advisory Council (YAC) run by MOASH. Divya is a 2nd-year medical student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine and hopes to continue to work in advocacy as she pursues a career in the medical field. One of her main aspirations is working to provide equitable, accessible, and affordable healthcare to all that may need it, and she hopes that by becoming a physician she will be able to change the medical field for the better. Outside of her major goals, Divya’s passions include sexual health education, erasing STI stigma, and promoting racial and gender equality. Divya hopes that with her voice and the voices of the amazing youth surrounding her, they can change the world to be a more equitable, equal, and affirming place!

MY Faith Facilitator

Hannah M.

(they/them)

Hannah (they/them) is a community organizer, creative, and critical thinker. They are the lead editor/ organizer for a local newsletter, Suburban Connections for Collective Liberation, aiming to connect folks in Metro Detroit’s suburbs with values related to social justice, community work, and visionary organizing. Additionally, they are active in their local mutual aid group, the Radical Social Workers community, and played an important role in the development of the first resident advisor union in the state at Wayne State University. Before grad school, Hannah spent time in Zambia with the Peace Corps and supported various programs abroad where they made many friends and learned new ways of being. Now, they are happy to be rooted in the Pontiac area and be building beloving communities with others that are committed to the path towards collective liberation. As a queer person of faith who grew up in a conservative church, they are thrilled to be fulfilling this new position with MOASH as the MY Faith YAC Facilitator. They look forward to all that will come personally and communally by struggling with this important work at the intersections of youth, faith/ spirituality/ religion, queerness, and sexual and reproductive freedom.

MY Faith Youth Co-Facilitator

Kay K.

(they/them)

Kay (they/them) is a student at Alma College studying history and religious studies. Kay is a proud non-binary and queer Christian who is passionate about interfaith work and advocacy work for inclusive sexual health education across Michigan. Kay co-created a project to provide menstrual products in high school and middle school bathrooms in their county and has volunteered at various local organizations to provide food and health resources to low-income and veteran families in the Shiawassee area. Kay has been a member of MOASH since 2022 and is excited to continue working with them!

MY REC Facilitator

Nupur H.

(she/her)

Nupur Huria (she/her) is a pre-medical junior at Michigan State University double majoring in Human Biology and Psychology. She passionately advocates for and leads several initiatives toward achieving gender-based health equity at and beyond Michigan State University. Through her work, she aims to raise awareness for and normalize discussion around stigmatized topics, disseminate important information, and empower others to prioritize their health and wellbeing.

YAC Facs & Co-Facs

Image of bar graph showcasing number of youth in MOASH youth advisory councils and number of youth paid for services from 2011 to 2023. The numbers both remain relatively stagnant from 2011 to 2018 but then grow quickly and consistently through the end of 2023.

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