Youth Ambassadors

Providing Leadership to our Community in the Area of Youth Affairs

The Youth Ambassador Program was developed as a result of “reconciliation” meetings between community leaders in Aliquippa and Beaver Falls. Leaders from both communities pledged to work together to seek reconciliation and peaceful relations between their respective citizenry. Out of this pledge, Youth Ambassadors from each high school were slected to continue the dialogue with the aim to resolve conflicts, promote peace, build relationships, and improve the image of their schools and towns. The ambassadors selected were from various racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Objective:

The purpose of the Youth Ambassadors Program is to develop the leadership capacities of young people from the Beaver County area and like-minded organizations, and to grow and strengthen the movement by building up this new generation of community leaders. Over the course of a school year, those who are chosen for our Youth Ambassadors Program will receive tools, mentorship and opportunities to participate in breakout sessions and youth forum. In exchange, Youth Ambassadors will commit to organize two youth forums, and utilize social networks and media to publicize the ideals and vision of the (YAP). All Beaver County School students grades 9-12 interested in the youth ambassador program are welcome to apply. We, the members of the Youth Ambassador Program Steering Committee, commit ourselves in any way possible to help you along the way, and to help you manage these responsibilities within your busy lives, whether you work, study, or have other important commitments. We will do our best to help you feel connected and supported in your valuable service.

Goals:

1. To promote mutual understanding between the people of the county and region.
2. To prepare youth leaders to become responsible citizens and contributing members of their communities.
3. To significantly influence the attitudes of the leaders of a new generation.
4. To foster relationships among youth from different cities. Participants will demonstrate critical thinking and leadership skills. Participants will demonstrate ability to develop project ideas, plan a course of action, and bring the projects to fruition.

Commitments: Youth Ambassadors will commit to the following activities over the course of a school year, September – June:

1. To initiate awareness in Beaver County related to issues of your choice that will be a vechile to fulfill the ideals of YAP and you individual aims for local school district engagement.
2. To participate in quarterly conference calls (number is reference below) with Steering Committee Members and other Youth Ambassadors to share your progress and learning along the way.
3. We anticipate you will spend about 5-6 hours a month working on your commitments. Specific time commitments include:

• Every two weeks, check-in with ACMF Coordinator by email for progress updates
• Mandatory participation in the planning process for our “Youth Forums”
• Daily follow-up discussion on the social networks: Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace

Note: Conference calls are usually held on the last Sunday of each month at 6:00 pm. Dates and times are tentative. Each YAP Member can join in on conference calls by dialing (712) 432-0111, access code 306532*

First Quarter Tentative Timeline:

• Sept 27th – Application process launched
• Oct 4th – Applications due
• Oct 11th – New Youth Ambassadors announced
• Oct 29th – Youth Ambassadors welcoming / first youth forum (Beaver Falls High School)
• Oct 30th – First conference call
• Nov 7th – Virtual video conferencing
• Nov 27th – Second conference call

Download Youth Ambassador Application .doc