The Gate in Independence

Youth Advisory Team

The Gate Youth Center is launching a Youth Advisory Team to elevate student voice and leadership in shaping our programs and community outreach efforts. This initiative will officially begin in September 2025 with an open call for applications. A combined team of administrators, staff and students will select one representative from each grade level to serve on the advisory team, ensuring a strong and diverse group of students that reflects our mission and values as an organization.

Duties of the Youth Advisory Team: 

The Youth Advisory Team will meet monthly to discuss ongoing programming, provide feedback, and help plan key events, including our beloved Dudes Night and Ladies Night. These annual events serve as powerful community outreach tools, bringing together families and community members of all ages, races, and backgrounds for an evening of food, fun, and connection. Student advisors will contribute to the planning and execution of these nights, ensuring the events are welcoming and engaging for all.

This team will include one student representative from each grade level (6–12), ensuring a broad and diverse range of students are heard and are empowered decision-makers. The Advisory Team will meet monthly with two dedicated adult staff members to plan, implement, and evaluate key community outreach opportunities, including signature events like Dudes Night and Ladies Night.

Student responsibilities will span communication, logistics, and evaluation. They will determine the best ways to reach out and lead peers at The Gate, in school, and throughout the community. They will create posters and mailings, monitor social media posts, and ensure consistent and student-friendly messaging. In collaboration with staff, students will coordinate with local partners to develop fresh and new programming content aligned with their interests. 

Additionally, students will design and administer quarterly surveys to assess student and family satisfaction specific to events and programming. They will work with staff to serve as a problem-solving team to address logistical or programming challenges, as expressed by their peers and survey responses.