Youth Advocacy And Leadership Coalition

yalc symbol

The Youth Advocacy and Leadership Coalition (YALC), a civic leadership program for youth ages 13-18 in Cuyahoga County. The YALC develops young adult leaders by training and supporting them in advocating for youth issues and links them to their communities through service-learning experiences.

For the past twelve years, YALC has worked hard to bring issues affecting the youth of Cuyahoga County to light. Annually, YALC has connected over 1,000 13-18-year-old youth with opportunities to advocate for issues. Through peer to peer learning, YALC teens serve our communities with service projects and educational activities and provide a voice to other teens in our county. Some highlights of what we offer to teens include:

  • Professional development opportunities through monthly meetings (resume writing, social media use, budgeting, public speaking, time-management etc.)
  • Present at State and National Conferences (Ohio 4-H Conference, National 4-H Summit Series, Universities Fighting World Hunger Conference)
  • Network with peers from throughout Cuyahoga County to discuss desired changes to local government/community
  • Provide opportunities to fulfill community service requirements through service projects at local organizations
  • Positive youth development programming through 4-H curriculum
  • Meet leaders in their field through career days and offsite visits to local non-profits and businesses
  • Adult mentorship through partnerships with caring adult volunteers who serve as “guides on the side”
  • Develop and lead workshops for peers at Annual Teen Summit
  • Youth-led programming (teens decide the topics we cover and then teach their peers)
  • College visits
  • $300 stipend for teens who serve in leadership roles
  • RTA bus passes and gas cards to get to all events
  • Food at every meeting

YALC is now offering in person and virtual activities for teens who wish to be active members in the organization. 

 Sign up for YALC here

YALC is open to ALL teens in Cuyahoga County. There are no application requirements to be a YALC member, and teens will get access to workshops on "adulting," STEAM topics, cooking classes and more.  

Teens can join the YALC at any time throughout the year because we accept applications on a rolling basis. The program is offered year-round and is very flexible to ensure that all teens are able to have access to membership.