Youth Creating Change supports youth development in different ways.
Youth Council
Are you between the ages 14 and 25? Apply today and join our youth council. As part of our youth council, young people inform and guide the work that we do, while learning about topics that interest them. Topics vary each year, but often include evaluation, public speaking, marketing and outreach, and media and messaging.
- Our 2025/26 Youth Council Application is now closed. Please contact us if you are interested in getting involved.
- Meet our youth council
Youth Leading Change
Youth Council members are creating powerful change in their schools and communities through creativity, advocacy, and leadership. From launching podcasts and producing short films to organizing school-wide events and awareness campaigns, these young leaders are breaking the stigma around mental health and inspiring their peers to speak up and seek help.
Together, these young advocates are showing what’s possible when youth are empowered to lead.
Ruby helped produce a behind-the-scenes video on youth filmmaking and led a mental health festival at her school. Through her films “Reaching Out” and “Scribbles,” we get a glimpse into what life as a young person is like today and how to find the courage to speak up.
Katelyn created vibrant, youth-friendly videos and graphics that have been shared out widely in our digital tookits and on our socials.
Naya brought suicide prevention education to her school by facilitating our Mini Grant Program, presenting a lesson on suicide prevention to her classmates, coordinated the creation of three films and and hosted a student film festival.
Gurneet uses poetry and storytelling to promote healing and hope, and wrote a blog post about participating in YCC’s programs and what writing means to her.
Sophia pitched and developed Uncontrollable, a podcast about youth mental health, diving into topics such as therapy, addiction, and treatment by inviting young people and mental health professionals to share their knowledge and lived experience and shared her voice on Spotlight on the Community.
Youth Listening Sessions & Co-Creation Frameworks
When youth are at the center of their own well-being, change can happen. When adults are inspired to listen, youth feel seen and heard. Youth Creating Change partners with organizations to create and apply authentic co-creation models and frameworks that put youth at the center of planning and implementation for your program or campaign. Our services include facilitating listening sessions and creation of youth advisory boards.
Youth Led Events
Over the years, youth have come up with and planned impressive events to raise awareness about mental health or suicide prevention events at their schools and in their communities.
Annually, on the eve of the Directing Change Film Contest red carpet award event, Your Creating Change hosts “Youth for Change.” This event pairs youth with entertainment professionals, artists, and musicians to learn about careers where they can use their talent and voice to make a difference.
In addition, and as funding permits, Youth Creating Change hosts ‘paint my piece’ events where a youth artist instructs attendees on how to recreate a painting they submitted to the Hope & Justice contest.
