A trio of Nelson residents will help the Columbia Basin Trust add a youth voice to its decision-making process.
The Youth Advisory Committee is a group of involved youth from around the Columbia Basin who provide advice to Columbia Basin Trust and a youth perspective on a variety of issues facing today’s youth. This year Nelson’s Curtis Bendig and Bailey Repp have been added and will join returning local member Blake Nicol.
Members — called YACers — commit to a one-year term and have an opportunity to meet, work and travel with a group of like-minded young people.
“We work with youth and communities to increase youth opportunities and engagement,” said Michelle d’Entremont, Columbia Basin Trust youth liaison. “Being a member of YAC is a great way for youth to develop their leadership skills, engage with the Trust and provide input on issues that are important to them.”
The new members are excited about joining the committee and looking forward to making a difference in their communities.
“To me, being on YAC is so different from any other club or team,” said Repp. “Being able to provide and empower other youth with huge opportunities to drive change has to be one of the best feelings one can have.”
Prospective YACers go through an application process and are selected to volunteer on the committee by the previous year’s committee members.
The commitment involves a weekend meeting every two months which includes the review of Columbia Basin Youth Grants applications — a task unique to this Columbia Basin Trust advisory committee.
The Trust supports youth and communities through a range of programs such as the Community Directed Youth Funds and Columbia Basin Youth Grants, as well as by providing a forum for Basin youth to share their art, ideas and experiences with each other through Scratch magazine.
Visit cbt.org/youth for more details.