Youth

What is Youth Leading Change?

Youth Leading Change (YLC) is a high school club in Pierce County that encourages youth to spread the message of prevention to their peers. YLC youth focus on general prevention issues in their community. Some of these include: drug use, underage drinking, teen suicide, teen pregnancy, prescription drug abuse and many more. YLC is a youth lead program that gives students the knowledge and skills necessary to serve as leaders in their communities. Youth involved in YLC become empowered to take a stand and fight to help educate others about community safety, peer pressure, civic engagement and prevention.

Each YLC Chapter is led by Core Youth Leaders (CYL) who are trained in Prevention Techniques.  Youth are in charge of organizing and directing their group with the supervision of a Youth Mobilizer and a Teacher-Coach/Advisor from the school campus.

 

There are YLC Chapters in:

  • Bethel School District - Bethel and Spanaway Lakes High Schools
  • Franklin Pierce School District - Franklin Pierce and Washington High Schools
  • Steilacoom School District - Steilacoom High School
  • Tacoma School District - Foss, Lincoln, Mt Tahoma, Stadium and Wilson High Schools
    ENGAGE program: Baker, Giaudrone, Jason Lee and Stewart Middle Schools

 

YLC Leadership is divided into 4 categories:

Members

Youth who participate in on-campus activities and help to coordinate service projects aimed at spreading the message of Prevention.

Leaders

Youth who mobilize and empower their peers to stand up against drug and alcohol use at their schools and in their communities. Leaders receive training in the areas of prevention strategies and team building.

Advocates

Advocates provide leadership around:
1) Civic engagement, advocacy and education of community stakeholders about the importance of prevention and voters registration
2) Community building activities that stem from developing youth/adult partnerships with organized block groups
3) Supporting YLC activities on campus by attending meetings and mentoring leaders

Advisors

1) Are ENGAGE interns who mentor and lead middle school students in the process of making healthy choices
2) Promote healthy lifestyles among high school students through YLC basic training, reducing underage drinking & 5210 education initiatives
3) Support YLC activities on campus by attending meetings, mentoring leaders and advocates, as well as Co-facilitating CYL training