Impact Youth Advisory Group Bringing young people together to share their experience of services, and co-design solutions to challenges young people are facing. Our Youth Advisory Group (YAG) provides us with invaluable insight into services and current program gaps within the community and help us improve service delivery for our clients. Our YAG members are involved in regular consultations on issues that directly impact young people - both at Youth Projects and in the broader local community. Involvement in YAG contributes to ongoing community participation and engagement and gives young people a platform to share their views and have their voice heard - a forum that allows young people to develop their confidence, social connections, and leadership skills, whilst playing a key role in planning and delivering events for their community. Meet some of the OG YAG crew. Aims & Objectives Advocate for young people. Promote the talents, achievements, and accomplishments of young people. Provide a safe, accessible, and inclusive space for young people to participate. Support young people’s participation in the planning and delivery of programs. Creating social change and improving service delivery for young people. Recognise, showcase, and celebrate the contribution young people make to our community. Ensure young people have their say on issues that are important to them, and that their voices and contributions are heard. Empower young people through purposeful engagement; providing young people with opportunities to take on meaningful and valued roles. Assist young people to express their ideas and provide them with opportunities and a platform to have their voices heard within their local community. Develop independence and autonomy in young people. Involve young people in decision-making processes. Our values Inclusion Respect Compassion Empowerment Social Justice Advocacy Acceptance Accountability Commitment Diversity & Representation What’s involved? Here’s some of the things our YAG have achieved: Co-designed service delivery, policies and programs at Youth Projects Delivered a Visual Art Competition that celebrated young artists from across Victoria Involvement in external surveys and youth-specific consultations and research Facilitated virtual workshops and activities for young people throughout lockdowns Planned and delivered 5 youth-led events for Youth Week 2020 and Youth Week 2021 Hosted events including the annual Youth Projects Halloween Party, casual BBQs and Youth Forums Facilitated events for IDAHOBIT, Wear it Purple Day, Trans Awareness Week & more to support our LGBTIQA+ community Met with Senator Jordon Steele-John to discuss issues impacting young people Developed an official submission to the Victorian Government’s Youth Matters Strategy Invited to participate in panel discussions as youth representatives What have we got planned for 2022? Life Skills Training and more youth-led workshops Youth Advisory Group Logo Design Competition Participating in the 2022 Midsumma Pride March Curating and publishing a youth-led content series (creative writing, poetry, articles and visual art pieces created by young people, for young people) Youth-led events, initiatives and projects (including Youth Art Exhibition, Youth Awards Night, live music events) Convening a Youth Advocacy Council to develop a campaign, and advocate for young people Life Skills Training YAG will be launching a new series of life skills workshops focussed on things young people need to know. Youth Projects will support the delivery of these workshops - delivered by young people, for young people. All workshops will focus on developing the physical, mental, and social health of young people, support the transition and adaptation to adult life, and breaking down misconceptions surrounding mental health. Join our Youth Advisory Group What’s in it for me? Well, lot’s really! Here’s just a few of the things you might get out of the experience: Access to a holistic support network Increased confidence and self-esteem Resume building (looks great on your job applications!) Gain experience planning and facilitating youth-led workshops Contribute to ongoing community participation and engagement Creating social change and improve service delivery for young people Develop your decision-making, interpersonal communication and leadership skills Increased knowledge of issues that directly impact your local community Valuable volunteering experience in the Youth and Community Services sector Develop your industry network, maintain social connections and make new friends Opportunities to have your voice heard! Can I participate? We are looking for passionate young people (aged between 14 and 25 years old) that want to use their voice to empower others, create real social change and have their say on issues that directly impact them. Participation is voluntary and it is strongly encouraged that participants be available to meet fortnightly - sometimes online, sometimes at our Youth Hub in Glenroy (there’s usually pizza and snacks involved…!) YAG are recruiting for 2022! Register your interest now! For more information on the Youth Advisory Group, please contact: Nikita Hall (she/her) Call (03) 9304 9100 [email protected] Julia Pieters (she/her) Call/text 0459 779 712 [email protected]