Empowering Youth Voices: How VOYAC Shapes YouthLink’s Present And Future

At YouthLink, we pride ourselves on being a youth-led organization, and the Voices of Youth Advisory Council (VOYAC) is a cornerstone of our mission and our work. VOYAC plays a critical role in collecting and utilizing feedback from youth experiencing homelessness to guide YouthLink’s leadership team in making informed decisions. Through a combination of formal surveys, engaging events, and informal conversations, VOYAC ensures that the voices of youth are not only heard but also drive the policies, procedures, programs, and partnerships at YouthLink.

Data Collection: Engaging Youth in Meaningful Dialogue

VOYAC collects data through a variety of innovative and youth-friendly methods. One of the primary tools is feedback surveys, which are strategically distributed during events organized by VOYAC at the Drop-In Center. These events not only provide a fun and engaging atmosphere and allow youth to get to know the Council members, but also incentivize participation in the surveys, ensuring a higher response rate and richer data collection. Additionally, feedback surveys are always available at the front desk for those who prefer to provide input at their convenience.

A new project VOYAC is excited about involves installing suggestion boxes in key spots around the Drop-In Center. This initiative aims to capture spontaneous feedback and ideas from youth, further diversifying the ways in which their voices can be lifted and heard.

Des, VOYAC’s Advocacy Advisor, complements these formal methods with informal ones by engaging in friendly conversations with youth at the Drop-In Center. This approach acknowledges that not everyone is comfortable or willing to fill out a survey. As KJ Rolenc, Youth Council Program Manager, emphasized, “Not everybody wants to complete a survey. Not everybody will respond to that. So, a big part of ensuring all voices are heard is just through building personal relationships.”

Des (Advocacy Advisor) & Sky (General Council Member)

The Power of Personal Connection

Building personal connections is essential for understanding the diverse needs of youth experiencing homelessness. Des highlighted this by saying, “We bridge the gap between youth, case managers, and YouthLink leadership because when people come through the doors, not everyone is automatically comfortable, you know, and sometimes talking with someone in your age group or a familiar face makes the difference. Makes them comfortable.” These personal interactions allow VOYAC to notice patterns and make informed recommendations to YouthLink staff, further fostering a welcoming and supportive environment where youth feel seen and heard.

Starr Pate, VOYAC Communications Advisor, pointed out, “To be honest, whether someone will provide feedback often just depends on what type of day they’re having. At YouthLink, we meet a lot of people going through a lot of different things. So honestly, it depends on their day. Some people are just not interested in that because they came for food and to find shelter that day, which that’s OK. Some of them are like, ‘yeah, I’ll fill this survey out and thank you guys for being aware of us and our needs.’” By fostering these genuine connections, YouthLink can better address the immediate and long-term needs of the youth that come through YouthLink’s doors.

VOYAC members announcing raffle winners at VOYAC Meet & Greet event

Turning Feedback into Action

Once the data is collected and analyzed, VOYAC members come together to vote on recommendations to present to YouthLink’s leadership team. They create detailed presentations to share their findings with YouthLink staff, clients, and community partners. This collaborative approach ensures that the recommendations are well-informed and truly reflect the needs and desires of youth.

VOYAC advises YouthLink in four key areas, referred to as the 4 P’s: Policy, Procedures, Programs, and Partnerships.

Policy

VOYAC influences and advises on internal policy decisions, ensuring that the policies are youth-centered and supportive. They also engage in educating and advocating within the legislative process to effect policy changes both within YouthLink and the broader community. Recently, VOYAC has contributed to revising the Supportive Housing Visitation Policy and Youth Grievance Policy, and participated in advocacy events such as Homeless Day on the Hill.

Procedures

By influencing internal procedures, VOYAC helps determine how services are delivered at YouthLink. Their insights ensure that processes are streamlined and responsive to the needs of the youth, making services more accessible and effective.

Programs

VOYAC plays a crucial role in shaping the programs offered at YouthLink. They ensure that programs are culturally responsive and provide transformative experiences. This includes everything from skill development workshops to educational opportunities that empower youth to thrive.

Partnerships

Building and developing a network of partnerships is another key focus for VOYAC. These partnerships enrich the resources and opportunities available to YouthLink’s clients, fostering growth and development in various aspects of their lives.

VOYAC members, YouthLink staff, and YouthLink CEO, Rich Melzer at Homeless Day on the Hill

The Impact of Youth Leadership

The involvement of youth in decision-making processes at YouthLink is not just beneficial—it’s essential. As KJ highlighted, “The people that are in the best position to influence decision making are always those that have first-hand experience. Since YouthLink serves youth, it’s significant that those who have experienced homelessness and gone through our services have a meaningful voice in shaping how the organization runs.”

Starr further emphasized the importance of youth involvement, stating, “I feel like it’s very important for youth to be involved in decision making because if YouthLink is going to serve youth, they need to have a pair of youth lenses to help clear up their vision on certain things they might not recognize about young people.”

Building a Brighter Future Together

VOYAC’s efforts in collecting and utilizing feedback underscore YouthLink’s commitment to being a truly youth-led organization. By empowering young people to voice their opinions and influence decisions, we ensure that our services are relevant, effective, and impactful. VOYAC’s work not only shapes the present but also builds a foundation for a brighter, more inclusive future.

Together, we are not just listening to youth—we are learning from them and leading with their insights. This collaborative approach is what makes YouthLink a model for youth-serving organizations everywhere.