Voices of Youth Advisory Council

As a youth-led organization, the Voices of Youth Advisory Council (VOYAC) fulfills an important role at YouthLink by influencing and advising on the four P’s: policy, procedures, programs, and partnerships.

VOYAC helps ensure that all voices of young people served by YouthLink – of which a disproportionate number are Black and Brown youth & 2nd sometimes 3rd generation service clients – can inform and influence governance, leadership, staff, stakeholders, and funders. It also provides a respected platform for our organized youth leaders to participate in policymaking and strategic planning.

COUNCIL Members

Meet VOYAC

Clyde
Chair


I currently major in Political Science and will soon transfer to a university. Currently, I work positions at different nonprofits. I have worked as Partnership Assistant for the Northside Safety N.E. T., The Community Mentor for the University of Minnesota/Hennepin County Urban Agricultural Project, and the chair for the Voices of Youth Advisory Council. I wanted to join VOYAC because I have fallen victim to the injustices that some youth organizations subject their youth to. It also aligns with the work I want to indulge in in the future, and I love helping those most affected by disparities.

J Cole (Joseph)
Vice Chair

I am a full-time Community Activist who is associated with many different organizations. I work as a Youth Leader at the Black Youth Healing Arts Center. I’m in a position of leadership as the Resident Assistant for Ujamaa Place. I work with peers, helping them recover and get back into the community, helping people access housing and employment, and Certification in Peer Recovery. I’ve been a basketball coach for 7th graders for two seasons now. I recently became a certified Drone Pilot for the IGF. I became a part of VOYAC so I can continue to do the work I already do outside of here but within this agency. I have a strong passion for helping my peers and want to use this as an opportunity for personal and professional development.

Des (Malik)
Advocacy Advisor


I’m a girl dad who loves anything to do with music. I host 4thekulture podcast and the Outside Vibe at Kulture Klub Collaborative. My main goal is to stay involved with the future of the community.

Manny
Secretary


I am a peer recovery specialist, in which I aim to inspire hope, foster a sense of connection, and assist them in navigating the challenges they may encounter, ultimately helping them achieve and maintain a healthier, more fulfilling life. Which is something I also want to instill into the youth. My leadership roles stem from an untraditional high school experience graduating from a Naval Academy, which has given me different perspectives on life. Also, this is where my love for Aviation grew. Being heavily involved in the community, is something I’ve already been doing as I felt VOYAC was a perfect fit for me to expand my help. “Actions of people are always connected to the intention of their heart.”

Starr
Communications Advisor


I’m a student at St. Paul College. I’m also the new Communication Advisor of VOYAC. My life has been everything but easy, which is why I started doing youth advisory. I look forward to helping change the community and helping people learn to thrive and succeed like me.

Sky (Htoo)
General Council Member


I love helping community and other people. I love playing sports. I have a background in security work, which where I started my passion of the helping our community.

Khi Doume
Events Coordinator



My name Is Khi Doumé or Magnificekhi, the professional part time vegan from 2-6 am. I am fresh meat to VOYAC’s team as their Events Coordinator, and am colloquially known as the Baby Back Rib of the council. What is constantly on my daily agenda is ensuring that the things I create are made with passion, intentionality, and genuineness. I enjoy mathematics and psychology, various creative arts, and enjoy reading and hiking. I am determined to use my meticulosity, creativity, and unconventional skills to uphold and exceed the standard of Youthlink’s events in the foreseeable future. 

Follow VOYAC on Social Media

The 4 P’s

VOYAC advises and informs on these key focus areas.

Policy

Procedures

Programs

Partnerships

VOYAC’s influences and advises on internal policy decisions at YouthLink. They also engage and educate on the legislative process. Their goal is to affect policy in both YouthLink and the greater community.

Above: VOYAC members attend Homeless Day on the Hill at the State Capitol

VOYAC influences and advises on internal procedures at YouthLink. They help determine how processes are run and how services are delivered within the organization.

Above: VOYAC meets with a city council member

VOYAC helps determine what programs are offered and how they are implemented. VOYAC ensures that programs are culturally-responsive and providing transformative experiences and opportunities for young people.

Above: VOYAC held a meet & greet event to introduce council members to the YouthLink community and solicit youth feedback.

VOYAC helps build and develop a network of partnerships that support and nourish the growth of YouthLink and its clients. Partnerships help provide a wide range of skill development and educational enlightenment for youth coming to YouthLink.

Above: VOYAC members met with foundation staff during a funder’s onsite meeting