Youth Action Board Updates

By Nicole Chung

The past month has been a whirlwind of activities for our Youth Action Board (YAB) members and officers. February concluded with an impactful presentation at the Birth of Brilliance online conference, where Daniela Silva and Edilawit Kifle, joined by Nicole Chung, led a session that drew the highest attendance—87 participants. They shared their perspectives, lived experiences, and expertise on navigating "the system," providing valuable insights into strengthening relationships with youth in care. Their presentation also included expert recommendations on enhancing programs through positive youth engagement and the effective implementation of trauma-informed care strategies.

Just three days later, they were joined by four additional YAB members in Sacramento, CA, for the Youth Empowerment Summit. This summit provided a platform for service partners to learn about government youth-focused initiatives, engage in meaningful discussions, and network with peers and fellow YAB members from across California. The goal was to collaborate on strategies to prevent, intervene in, and ultimately end youth homelessness.

For the past two years, YAB has attended this conference, but this year, they took on a more active role. Daniela and Addie had the opportunity to share their training, while two additional YAB members participated in a panel discussion attended by nearly 50 participants. They shared their experiences and provided key recommendations on integrating trauma-informed care into youth services.

To conclude the summit, our service partners had the opportunity to meet with representatives of elected officials, advocating for the needs of unhoused youth and young adults and emphasizing the critical funding required to support this population. Our YAB members truly shined, using their voices to highlight the impact of their lived experiences while also showcasing the incredible work SDYS is doing to support youth in need.