The Center - Youth Advisory Council

At South Side Help Center, we believe youth have a voice and they deserve to be heard! We also believe in the incredible potential our youth possess. We are committed to harnessing that potential and providing youth a platform to lead, learn, and thrive.

We are excited to announce applications for our Youth Advisory Council are now open! Our Youth Advisory Council is a passionate community of youth leaders dedicated to empowering each other to actively shape programs and opportunities available to youth in the community. Council members play an active role in promoting, improving, and increasing youth program delivery at South Side Help Center and in our community. Youth Advisory Council members ensure that we are creating safe spaces for youth and that youth are receiving necessary and relevant programming.

We envision a community where every young person has access to quality programs, a supportive network, and the chance to develop into confident, capable leaders. Through collaboration, innovation, and advocacy, we're working towards a brighter future for all.

The Youth Advisory board is a formal committee of the South Side Help Center Youth Programs. Youth Advisory Council members play a key role in real-world projects that benefit the community. Through these activities, teens will practice problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and organization—key competencies that’ll prepare them for college, career, and beyond.

Community Working Groups (Advocacy) Thursdays 4pm-6pm

Our Youth Council Working Group is a team of youth who come together to work on a specific goal or problem. Their main job is to make sure that young people have access to all the things they need to grow, learn, and succeed. This includes things like after-school programs, job opportunities, health services, and places where they can feel safe and supported.

The working groups look at what's available for youth in the community by gathering information, figuring out what's missing, and then coming up with new ideas to fill in those gaps. They also want to make sure that young people have a say in these decisions, so they try to involve them in the process as much as possible.

If you are interested in this, Please consider joining us on Thursdays from 4pm-6pm

Youth Advisory Council (Program Enhancement) Thursdays 4pm-6pm

The Youth Advisory Council serves as a dynamic platform for innovative ideas and program enhancement initiatives. Comprising driven and passionate young leaders, we are committed to enriching existing programs and spearheading new initiatives that cater to the evolving needs of our community's youth. Through strategic planning, feedback mechanisms, and creative thinking, we aim to cultivate a supportive environment where youth can thrive and realize their full potential.

Community Ambassadors (Youth Empowerment) Wednesdays 3pm-6pm

Our Community Ambassadors are champions of youth empowerment, dedicated to inspiring and mobilizing their peers to drive positive change. With a focus on leadership development, skill-building, and community outreach, we empower young individuals to become catalysts for social progress. Through mentorship, advocacy campaigns, and collaborative projects, we aim to foster a culture of empowerment and resilience, empowering youth to shape their futures and make a meaningful impact in our community.

Benefits of Participation:

Develop leadership skills
Create community-wide changes for youth and teens
Improve policies in Chicago
Work towards creating a culture of youth voice in your community
Opportunity for youth to assist peers and community by addressing issues of mutual concern
Engage in civic duties and learn about the city
Fulfill community service requirements for school and recognition
Work toward a letter of recommendation for college
Career development
Build a social network with like-minded youth across the city