Volunteer with Youth at The Center

We believe in the power of young people and the potential they have to help create change. By choosing to volunteer with us, you are ensuring that young people will be seen, heard, and valued.

Click here for a list of our programming

Expectations of Volunteers

We ask our volunteers to follow these expectations when volunteering with us

Listen to youth

The creation of YATC was born out of wanting to make sure that kids not only are seen but also heard and valued. When deciding to volunteer with youth, you have to actively listen to them and their experiences

Don’t take up (too much) space

As adults, we tend to think that we know what’s best for young people. At Youth at the Center, there is a focus on fostering a sense of autonomy in youth. This is done by allowing youth to have as much control as we can give them when it comes to planning programming such as the Young, Not Silent Summit.The role of adults (when it comes to planning) is to support young people and help them if they’re struggling trying to voice ideas.

Look beyond your own experiences

How you live your truth is very different compared to the next person. The same can be said for youth. Their experiences differ from ours in different ways and that must be acknowledged. To ignore what young people have to say is the same as telling them that their voices don’t matter.

“YNS has helped me get the opportunity to actively plan something. I feel that oftentimes youth are put on the sidelines of change, so it's nice to be on the forefront. In addition to this, at the actual event we get to hear other young people speak and vice versa, which hopefully inspires them to join Young Not Silent and share their voices as well.” – Yasmeen Porter, Youth

“Young, Not Silent helped me realize that I have a voice and I can use it.” – Emmanuel Williams, Youth