EP 62: Youth Council Significance to an Organization

This week the Making Afterschool Cool podcast is focused on the impact a youth council can have on a youth serving agency.  To discuss how their Youth Council has influenced YMCA Houston is Gloria Guzman. Gloria has been with the YMCA for 13 years and currently works with the Y Youth Council (YYC). Through the YYC she has the privilege of facilitating a group of young leaders that help to determine the direction of programming for teen programs within the association.

In this episode, you will learn more about the:

• Timelines for the Youth Council development at YMCA of Greater Houston
• Process of selecting students to be on the Youth Council
• Benefits of a youth council for the Y and the students
• Impact of the Youth Council on YMCA of Greater Houston services delivery
• Advice for agencies interested in starting a youth council

Guest

Gloria has been with the YMCA for 13 years in which most of her time has been spent working with youth in out of school time settings. Throughout her career with the Y, she has strived to engage her youth in learning that they have a voice and teaching them effective communication so that they are able to use that voice to impact change. She is an advocate for youth in leadership positions and believes that given the right tools, youth are our present, not just our future. Gloria currently works with the Y Youth Council (YYC), in which she has the privilege of facilitating a group of young leaders that help to determine the direction of programming for teen programs within the association. Gloria takes her desire to shape the community into one that is positive and nourishing, beginning with listening to the young people who have so much to offer.

Resources

YMCA of Greater Houston

https://ymcahouston.org/

Harris County Department of Education

https://www.hcde-texas.org/

 CASE for Kids

https://www.hcde-texas.org/page/17