Youth Advisory Board
Program Director, Helen McGrath: helen@cellspace.org
Lizbett Calleros, Program Coordinator: lizbett@cellspace.org
| Veronica Lopez | Victor Matos-Chan | Jose Verastegui |
| Cindy Escobar | Kathia Luo | Ernesto Montoya |
| Mauricio Zelaya | Jose Quinteros | Davonne Dupart |
| Martin Olivares | Ana Maria Morales | Ana Gabriela Morales |
| Kelin Escobar | Elvyn Mejia |
Program Mission:The mission of the YAB is to ensure that youth have a
place to go where they can learn a variety of things (skills) that
will serve them in the future. We want to be more than simple leaders
and help those who are most in need. We want to provide a safe place,
free of drugs and gangs, where youth can hang out (be). Not only do
we want to make money, we also want to serve as role models for other
youth. Our goal is to continue to offer programs for youth and also
offer classes of interest for youth participants. We are the future
of tomorrow and we have to create that future.
This mission statement was created by the current group of youth
leaders in the Spring 2006 training course.
HIstory:The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) was created in 2003 when the
Mission Urban Arts after school program first began. It started with
three youth who helped to grow the program to what it is now. The YAB
is now comprised of nine to twelve youth who are trained to be leaders
and take on an advisory role within the Mission Urban Arts after
school program and beyond. The training that youth undergo is
comprised of three phases: training (phase one), service as youth
facilitators (phase two), and coalition members (phase three). Each
Spring, we offer a 22 week leadership training course (phase one) that
teach interested or nominated participants skills in: teambuilding,
meeting facilitation, communication, public speaking, program/event
planning and evaluation, conflict mediation, consensus-based decision
making, campaign analysis, and data collection.
At the end of this 22
week long training course, the newly trained leaders participate in a
weekend long retreat that is facilitated by the currently paid leaders
and then begin their year long term as paid youth facilitators at the
beginning of the Fall program session (phase two). Youth facilitators
in phase two receive a weekly stipend to help in the facilitation of
the art classes within Mission Urban Arts as well as with the planning
and evaluation of the program. After their year long term, youth
facilitators graduate to phase three, becoming members of the Youth
Nightlife Coalition. During this phase, youth are paid a monthly
stipend and co-coordinate nighttime activities at CELLspace, working
collaboratively with the adult members of the YNC which include
CELLspace staff as well as representatives of outside youth serving
community based organizations.
Current Projects:Our YAB members are currently working to raise money to fund special field trips and their future stipends. They have successfully coordinated a car wash that raised over $500 so that they can go on a three-day camping trip. The YAB are also always helping out with the Mission Urban Arts after school program within the art classes and also with program design.
Past Projects:The YAB have successfully coordinated four final events for the Mission Urban Arts after school program. They also have facilitated many parent meetings, interventions, and conflict mediations for the program.
How to get Involved:If you are a youth that is interested in becoming a youth leader, stop by the after school program, Monday through Friday, 4-7pm in the Spring and Fall or 2-5pm during the Summer. You may also contact Helen McGrath or Lizbett Calleros by email, urbanarts@cellspace.org.