Youth Advisory Council (YAC)

Meetings

  • 5:30 p.m.
  • 4th Tuesday of every month

Members

Twenty appointed positions, and an unlimited number of alternate positions.

NameRace & GenderTermEXPIRATIONSchool Represented
Ghufran AbdW/Female16.30.23Parkland High 
Ava BannerW/Female26.30.23Reagan High
Makayla BeardAA/Female26.30.23Mt. Tabor High
Lucy Blackman
16.30.23Reagan High
Nasi BongweniAA/Female36.30.23Career Center
Gracie BrownAA/Female16.30.23East Forsyth
Litzy Castillo-OliveraHispanic/Female36.30.23Career Center
Max ChenAsian/Male16.30.23Atkins High
Aranza Cortez-AranaHispanic/Female16.30.23Winston-Salem Prep
Tristan DawsonAA/Male16.30.23Parkland High
Michael GallagherWhite/Male26.30.23Atkins High
Jennifer Menjivar MejiaHispanic/Female16.30.23Mt. Tabor High
Jordan MooreAA/Female16.30.23Kennedy High
Kyah Newton-RoseboroAA/Female16.30.23Walkertown High
Jayla Page-ThomasAA/Female16.30.23Middle College
Leah RaifordAA/Female16.30.23Carver High
Daniel ReyesHispanic/Male36.30.23Reagan High
Nattapat RuangratAsian/Male16.30.23Mt. Tabor High
Britney SpeaksAA/Female16.30.23Walkertown High
Nicolas SpencerAA/Male16.30.23North Forsyth
Jacob TaylorAA/Male46.30.23Early College
Jada TaylorAA/Female16.30.23Early College
Addison TruzyAA/Female46.30.23Reynolds High
Jeremiah WashingtonAA/Male16.30.23Kennedy High
Madysun WilliamsAA/Female16.30.23Mt. Tabor High School


Mission

Serve as a conduit between city government and younger constituents. The Youth Advisory Council's core focus is youth civic engagement by way of community programming and youth-oriented activities; a contribution of at least 40 volunteer hours per school year to government-related initiatives, projects, and programs; the dissemination of information to the community regarding topics that are important and relevant to the youth in our community; and to advise the City Council and the Human Relations Department on matters that relate to the community's youth population.

Purpose

To provide a venue for youth between the ages of 14 to 18 to have an active means of civic engagement in local government, and become involved in the community by participating in community activities a minimum of 40 hours each year. General duties will include, but will not necessarily be limited to:

  • Actively promoting the participation of the youth in city government programs and activities;
  • Promoting positive human relations among all youth;
  • Providing channels of communication among all populations;
  • Encouraging youth to become better trained and qualified for employment opportunities;
  • Performing duties consistent with general law as may be assigned it from time to time by the City Council; and
  • Performing such other duties as necessary to enforce the powers assigned to it.

Annual Project

Each year, the Youth Advisory Council selects a project to complete by year end. This year the council is working on Public Service Announcements for youth in Winston-Salem about positive image and positive choices.

Past Annual Projects:

  • Baskets for Habitat for Humanity Families
  • Community Garden
  • Everyone Matters Day Celebration
  • Gift Bags for children at Brenner Children's Hospital
  • YAC PACKS, bags for Homeless Youth
  • Youth Expression Wall

Authority for Creation

The City Council unanimously approved establishing the Youth Council at its meeting on March 6, 1989.

Method of Appointment

The City Council, upon the recommendation of the Mayor, will appoint one student from each of the fourteen high schools in the system, and one student from six of the private schools, with membership open to all interested high school students.

Additional Information

Contact chief staff person Wanda Allen-Abraha, Human Relations Director, at 336-734-1226.

Newsletters

Access Youth Advisory Council (YAC) newsletters.

2019-2020 Youth Advisory Council