ALAMEDA COUNTY
YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD (YAB)
We are YOUTH ABOUT ACTION
Check out the YAB’s Winter 2024 newsletter here
MISSION: The YAB seeks to encourage and uplift youth representation to identify barriers to increasing housing stability. We strive to support self-sufficiency by building an equitable community using transparent means.
VISION: The YAB envisions an inclusive world where young people of all backgrounds and identities thrive through equity and generosity, where all youth are affirmed as their authentic selves in the community.
The Alameda County’s Youth Advisory Board is a leadership body of youth and young adults in the Housing and Homelessness Services of the Alameda County Health agency.
Get involved: YAB 2024 Calendar of Events
Land Acknowledgement:
The YAB is in Huchiun, known today as Oakland, home to Lisjan Ohlone, the original people of this land. We honor the Lisjan Ohlone people, the original inhabitants and lifetime stewards of the land we continue our work on. We acknowledge that in the face of past and current colonialism, the Ohlone people are still here today and live among us in spirit. In working towards ending youth homelessness, it’s vital that we recognize and publicly acknowledge the home that was stolen from Indigenous neighbors and be intentional about how we cultivate conversations surrounding this. We encourage our community to seek a historical understanding of the land they occupy and find ways to elevate the voices of our Indigenous communities through direct action and the sharing of knowledge:
- Tribal History – Confederated Villages of Lisjan
- How to contribute to the Shuumi Land Tax
- Indigenous populations in the East Bay Area
- 6 Actions toward allyship with Indigenous communities
ABOUT
How was the YAB created and where is our home?
In 2020, the YAB began as an initiative within ALL IN Alameda County through financial support from Blue Shield of California and in partnership with a youth-serving organization called Covenant House of California (CHC).
In July 2022, the YAB was officially integrated into the Housing and Homeless Services (H&H) under Alameda County Health, making it an official County Advisory Board centering youth voice and leadership. While H&H provides technical assistance and contract monitoring, CHC provides supportive services such as a working location, resources, materials, and youth compensation method
What is our role in the community?
Making youth homelessness brief, one time and non-recurring is the key priority along with our mission and vision statement. The YAB is a vital function in the plight against homelessness. Youth voices and experiences are currently misrepresented, unappreciated, and undervalued. The YAB works to shift this reality by supporting youth with lived experience of housing insecurity and homelessness to know their power, leadership and advocacy. The YAB serves as a bridge between youth and county decision makers to bring insight to the needs of youth in Alameda County and connect an increasing amount of youth to the services they need.
We are 100% BIPOC between the ages of 18-28 with lived experience of being formerly or currently homeless. We work closely with city, county decision-makers, service providers, professors, young people, and community members to collectively guide leaders by advising on the best policies and practices that meet the diverse needs of young people at risk of and or experiencing homelessness. From this, our leading efforts have been implementing both a new Youth Committee in our local Continuum of Care (CoC) and overseeing the federal Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program grant in the county while also engaging in other collaborative projects and initiatives.
Our Values:
- We believe in exercising honest equality to represent and uplift all youth voices of different backgrounds and situations.
- We believe that all youth are stakeholders; we prioritize youth employment with fair compensation and benefits.
- We believe community-based support and services are the core to ending youth homelessness and poverty. Leveraging power is crucial to this case.
- We believe in stretching the quality of generosity by providing one-on-one peer mentor support.
- We value engineering creativity, teamwork, and developing a sustainable environment for youth to have the tools they need to succeed.
Our Membership:
The YAB is made up of Participants, Members, Peer Mentors, and a Youth Lead between the ages of 18-28. Peer mentors operate internal YAB functions and provide one-on-one peer support to YAB members. Participants are youths who engage with YAB meetings, activities, and events on their own time basis; they assist with YAB's goals by providing unique insights on youth homelessness in Alameda County. Members are the core decision-making body of the YAB consisting of a minimum of eight (8) and a maximum of ten (10) seats. Each member seat will represent the following experiences:
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Our Partners:
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Meet the Youth Advisory Board
My lineage is Indigenous Mexican with roots in Central Mexico. I was born and raised in Huchiun, commonly known as Oakland California, where I have had the privilege of learning and growing on occupied Ohlone land in a beautiful city deeply rooted in Social Justice. I still choose Oakland as my home, and it is where I work, create, and raise my children. I love experiencing the world through my children’s eyes, long conversations with my elders, hiking to beautiful views, diving into waterfalls, dancing in the kitchen, I love laughing with my chosen sister/friends, gazing at the moon, conceptualizing new community mural concepts with my husband and daydreaming about the world I want to create for my children and all children. I take pride in serving as the YAB Coordinator as I have the privilege of working in true partnership with powerful youth leaders. As the coordinator, I support the implementation of our Coordinated Community Plan (CCP) and YHDP projects in collaboration with the YAB.
I envision YAB members finding connections with each other, while growing their skills as leaders through their work reimagining systems where youth can ultimately feel supported, heal and be whole. My favorite thing about the YAB is the energy, passion, and dedication the youth bring to shape the county’s homeless youth response system. Young people are, and have always been, the heart of social change! I am passionate about growing safe, caring and just communities where young people can heal while exploring different layers of themselves and have the agency to create the life they deserve for themselves and their community. When I’m not at the YAB, I enjoy spending time with my family hiking and enjoying regional parks in the Bay Area. Immersing myself, and family, in creative spaces is also a favorite pastime, from community art shows, dance, museum to cultural gatherings. Creating jewelry that captures the powerful teachings of my culture is my current chosen medium of self-expression.
Things I love include playing basketball, snowboarding, going on trips, trying new foods, bettering my community and family and teaching youth and peers. My hometown is Oakland, Oaktown or the Land. My role as a youth peer mentor means I'm deeply committed to shaping the trajectory of our community. At the forefront of our efforts, I lead the Recruitment, Retention, and Outreach Committee, where my strategic initiatives aim to attract and retain a diverse cadre of mentors who share our unwavering dedication to empowering the youth. This involves not just the logistics of recruitment but fostering a sense of belonging and purpose among our members, ensuring a dynamic and supportive environment that ultimately enhances the quality of mentorship provided to our young members. Simultaneously, my role extends to the COC Leadership Board, where I hold a significant voting seat. This unique position allows me to actively participate in critical decision-making processes that influence the overarching policies and strategic directions of our organization.
Engaging with the leadership team, I bring a distinct perspective to the table, advocating for the interests of the youth and ensuring that their voices resonate in the highest echelons of our governance structure. Beyond my role as a youth peer mentor, my free time is a dynamic mix of personal growth, athletic pursuits, and community engagement. I'm passionate about fostering my own development through activities that challenge and inspire me. One of my favorite outlets for personal growth is the basketball court, where the fast-paced nature of the game mirrors the challenges I encounter in my mentoring journey. Playing basketball not only keeps me physically active but also teaches me valuable lessons about teamwork, resilience, and strategic thinking. Beyond these formal roles, my dedication extends to fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for young individuals. I am committed to creating spaces where they can explore their potential, overcome challenges, and develop essential life skills. Through mentorship, I aim to instill confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose in the lives of those I have the privilege to guide. My life is woven together by a tapestry of passions that reflect my values and aspirations. At the heart of my journey is an ardent love for sports, particularly basketball, where the fast-paced nature of the game mirrors the dynamic challenges I encounter in both my personal and professional life. My family stands as a cornerstone of my identity, providing unwavering support and a source of inspiration. Mentorship is not just a role but a profound passion, as I find immense fulfillment in guiding and uplifting young individuals on their path to self-discovery and growth. The allure of exploration fuels my love for traveling, a passion that extends beyond the thrill of discovering new places to a deeper appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives. Additionally, I am dedicated to helping the community, whether through volunteering, participating in local events, or supporting initiatives that aim to make a positive impact. These interconnected passions create a vibrant mosaic, shaping my holistic approach to life and reinforcing my commitment to fostering positive change in both personal and communal realms.
I was born and raised in the East Bay as a first generation Vietnamese American and have been serving on the YAB since 2021. I’m a part of the YHDP Team and co-chairing our local CoC Youth Committee, and I greatly enjoy being in a role where I can connect young people with supportive growth opportunities in both policy work and personal goals. Some of my favorite YAB activities include participating in the NOFO scoring processes with my team every year because it’s a space where we can collaborate with our adult partners to make highly impactful decisions on our youth programs funding. I envision the YAB to remain an open space for future youth generations to make impactful change in their community and their authentic selves whenever they feel ready to do so in their own journeys. Aside from the YAB, I’m completing my Psychology BA at SJSU and hope to continue building a career in policy and advocacy. I enjoy spending time with my friends, going to school, skating, art, cars, doing makeup, hiking and concerts.
“Be love first - even in the face of anything” - Ike Shehadeh
I am an Oakland native based in Alameda County and I have aligned myself to support peers in my community through my experiences as a former forster youth and a passion in supporting youth and young adults. I go by the pronouns He/Him and I love to play football, video games, and spending time with my kids. I am one of the founding members of Alameda County’s Youth Advisory Board (YAB). Since the beginning I have been on the YAB which was formerly called Youth Action Board, I am now a youth mentor with experience working on mony of the projects and grant opportunities that the YAB has been apart of. As a Youth Mentor, I continuously support our members in developing their leadership skills while also leading committee meetings that I attend. When I am not at the YAB, I am a father who is striveing to give his children new opportunities in their lives by making a change woking as a Program Coordinator for Alameda County’s Peer Navigation Program. My favorite thing about working with the YAB is all the connections and relationships I’m able to build with like-minded individuals. I am always learning from the experiences that other members have within this space and the knowledge they bring with their ideas. It is always inspirational to hear from people and their vies on life. These are the experiences that will last a lifetime. I am passionate about so many things but importantly I am most passionate about seeing youth create their own solutions that create a stable pathway in achieving their goals in order to see the fruit of their success. I love being a mentor and helping those who need the additional support. I am passionate about using my lived experience to help mentor others in achieving their wildest dreams.
I am deeply rooted in the Bay Area and currently residing in Oakland, California. As a youth advocate and researcher for youth homelessness, I have a passion for understanding and amplifying the experiences of those who have gone through similar circumstances while lifting the hidden and unfamiliar. In my role at YAB, I work closely with rising young leaders and adult allies to advance policies and practices that benefit the well being of young people, where I also lead the Communications subcommittee. Additionally, I work on projects at the state and community level, investigating the needs of young people acting as a liaison to provide information to and from the YAB.
Outside of YAB, I prioritize self-care to ensure I can show up authentically. Although working for YAB provides me with an incredible sense of love, care, and empowerment, I cherish the holistic approach and knowledge I gain, which I carry into every space I enter. My passion is driven by my hyperempathy, through my hyperempathy, I strive to create a safe and secure environment for others.
I love to play with my son and play video games especially Super Mario and Pokémon games on my Switch. My first job was at Walgreens. I am currently based in Merced, CA but I have moved everywhere a lot. I am currently helping the RFP bidding process for homeless youth and I would like to help more foster youth for them to have more security. When I am not at YAB I work at Tesla or take my son to school. My favorite thing about working for YAB is being taken seriously because I am a stakeholder. I am passionate about foster youth and human trafficking survivors and activism. That's what I want to be as a social activist. Learn more about Sabrina’s activism: Better Care Solutions for Foster Youth w/ Mental Illnesses by Sabrina
I am based in Alameda County’s City of Oakland, CA. I am a Person With Lived Experience (PWLE) in houselessness and a part of the Communications Sub-Committee. When I have free time I love to go to community events or finding a place to spend time with family and friends. Your time is precious, it's something that doesn’t necessarily have a price and should be taken very seriously.I envision myself teaching workshops that have to do with information and skills that helped me in challenging points of my life. When I’m not at the YAB I’m usually working my second job or catching up with friends, family, and the list of things I still have to do. The things I love the most about the YAB are the amazing, smart, individuals that make the conversations and interactions we have fun, rewarding, and special in so many ways. I also love that our opinion matters and that everyone is included in decision making. My passions are my beliefs that we were made to love, have faith, and keep hope for one another; a life worth living.
I currently reside in Berkeley CA, but I was born in Hayward CA.I love spending quality time with friends/family, singing, dancing, and most importantly helping out my community! My first job was at Spirit Halloween when I was 16 years old in 2020. One of my roles at the YAB was as a Young Adult Project Designer for the Alameda County Selection Committee for the YHDP Project. I envision directly helping Youth and Young Adults navigate the homelessness response system and ensuring all of their needs are met. When I’m not at YAB, I’m usually working on school assignments or working at Ulta Beauty! My favorite thing about working for YAB is how everyone is supporting and encouraging, as well as it is a safe place to share anything. Lastly, I’m passionate about helping others and working for the YAB, because of my lived experience of housing insecurity, I’m doing this for my younger self as well as giving back to my community!
My name is Khantane Jackson. I was born and raised in East Oakland. As a natural healer on a healing journey, I am learning and growing every day. I practice loving and having grace with myself so I can practice the same with others. I can not say enough how blessed I am to be so invested in my community. Joining and participating in many different organizations all focused on health and wellness. Notably I am a youth mentor and program coordinator for an organization known as HHREC(Health and Human Resource Education Center). I am also a member of Create The Space and an apprentice at RJOY(Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth) where I am working to break the generational curses that have impacted our families for far too long. I am the Prince of Hearts. I am faithfully committed to my people. Love has always been the current that has carried me throughout life. I wish to share this love with everyone. This aligns with my new role at YAB where I hope to spread awareness and share resources with youth that may be in need of them but have no idea that they even exist or how to access them. My mission is to be a light to those in the dark…in whatever way I can be.
I am passionate about art. I love to dance and crochet. I am inspired by life, the limitless potential of self, and speaking life into spaces. What I hope to do with the Y.A.B. is expressive art, open mics and poetry. I envision a Y.A.B. bathroom initiative that addresses the challenges in hygiene and self-care through homelessness. When I am not at Y.A.B. I am in meditation or energy shifting through movement. My favorite thing about YAB is commUNITY.
