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Youth Advocacy Council
Young people leading the sexual health movement
The Youth Advocacy Council (YAC) is a youth development program that empowers San Antonio area teens to become leaders of change in their community through civic participation at local and state levels. Healthy Futures of Texas engages high school-age youth in outreach, education, and advocacy to increase access to evidence-based sexual health education and to teen-friendly preventive healthcare.
The Youth Advocacy Council is a proud member of the Texas Youth Action Network, a project of DSHS through Texas A&M University. It is also funded by Methodist Healthcare Ministries
For more information:
Sophia Montemayor, Program Coordinator
210-223-4589, or email us here
Recruitment is open for the 2022-2023 cohort - APPLY TODAY!
Goals
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Increase civic engagement among Texas teens
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Increase parent engagement in the sexual health movement
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Dissolve taboo surrounding sexual health by creating a platform for healthy, open conversation about sex and relationships
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Improve local policies to address teen pregnancy prevention through advocacy
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Increase use of evidence-based sexual health curricula in Texas schools
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Improve health referral resources for teens
Responsibilities
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Twice-a-month meetings from August to May
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Advocacy training
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Sexual health education
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Visits with elected officials
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Advocacy Day
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3 campaign initiatives per year – October: Let’s Talk Month, February: Teen Dating Violence Awareness, and May: #SexEdForAll
Stipends
Members can receive $25 a meeting, or they can get volunteer hours for school requirements
Team Leads
In 2020, we launched our Team Leads positions - part-time positions for near peer mentorship from college students for our YAC members.
The positions are currently held by Elizabeth Tang, a YAC alumna and UT student, and Elisha Bedford, aTexas A&M at San Antonio student.
Want to learn more about how we made the Team Lead happen? Read our blog with the Texas Youth Action Network, and check out the Recipe Book for Building a Near-Peer Leadership Position!