The Youth Action Board (YAB) is a sponsored program of the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services that was established in 2019 and is the decision-making body of youth and young adults (YYA) with lived experience of homelessness or housing instability. The Board consists of 11 members who are tasked with implementing ideas, suggestions, and solutions locally, statewide, and nationally. They are committed to ensuring that youth and young adult voices are heard, and they have a seat at the table with organizations around homelessness issues especially during the decision-making periods. Since inception, the board has participated in several community events and activities, some of which include planning for the 2nd Annual Youth Mental Health Expo, Maryland Legislative Bills, and participation in panels and listening sessions with the White House’s office of public community engagement.
The YAB envisions a world where there is no youth homelessness. A world in which there are safe, compassionate spaces for YYA and where youth are healthy, strong, safe, and connected. If interested, please join their bi-weekly meetings, every 2nd (virtual) and 4th Tuesday (in-person). For additional information, contact DaeJanae Day at DaeJanae.Day@maryland.gov or Kelly Gourdin at Kelly.Gourdin@maryland.gov.
I want my voice to be heard, I advocate for young people, older people, and people that do not know how to advocate for themselves. I believe I am making a difference in the world.
I advocate for the youth to tell my story and hopefully make history or inspire someone to share their story. I also do it to hold society responsible and to protect our rights as human beings physically, mentally, and emotionally. Everyone isn’t perfect, we are all anomalies in our own way.
The experience I had with homelessness while having a baby on the way is why I advocate. I want youth to know that homelessness is only a temporary thing and there are resources out there to help with whatever situation they are going through.
I want people to know that even though we as young people and young adults go through the struggle, we make it out of the mud, breaking the stigmas that are portrayed within society…I always say, what you go through does not define you, but it inspires others.
I love being the voice for the youth , I love the work that we do, and to let people know that your mental health matters!
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