Youth Leaders
All YLAT youth have the potential to be leaders in their lives and in their communities. From the moment a youth person comes to a YLAT event or meeting, they start practicing their leadership skills by using their voice and sharing their stories.
As youth grow their skills through YLAT, there are increased opportunities to practice and use those skills to create change in the child welfare system. Youth leaders apply their leadership skills through participating in YLAT meetings; speaking in public about foster care; delivering panel presentations for caseworkers, foster parents, Guardians ad Litem, and community members; advocating for youth in care; and informing child welfare policies and legislation. Because of their time in care, YLAT youth share experiences and perspectives in a way that no one else can. Youth leaders and adult partners give and receive support while taking on these important roles.
YLAT Ambassadors
Our YLAT ambassadors are a group of youth who take on an additional leadership role in the YLAT community. As ambassadors, they take on elevated roles in YLAT spaces and meet up throughout the year to delve deeper into their leadership skills. You may see our awesome ambassadors facilitating YLAT meetings and Jr. YLAT meetings, presenting with YLAT staff at workshops, or as emcees at Teen Conference!
Alumni Leaders
We have been lucky throughout the years to build an amazing alumni network of youth leaders, all of whom have shared with our community their time, stories, and unique skills. We are grateful for their continued dedication to YLAT and love to see the wonderful things they are doing in and for their communities.
