Meet our Colorado Youth Advisory Board

 

Emmanuel Byarm

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I joined YI to help assist this organization in its mission and to transform my own understanding about higher education, healthcare, and the workforce. This transformation will assist me in being a unit for change within my community.

 

Vicente Cardona

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? YI is an organization that equips the next generation with a platform to voice our opinions, provide tools to make to take actions, and a safe space where like-minded individuals can unite to take that next step towards the future we want. That is why I wanted to join.

Jason Cui

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I joined YI to help support this organization in its mission to voice the opinions and thoughts of the youth and to also allow myself an opportunity to understand the complex issues in our society. This will educate me to become a leader of tomorrow as well as having a leadership role in my community.

 

Sandra Garcia

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? The opportunities that I received as a young advocate deepened my interest for policy work and decided to participate in the YAB. I have truly enjoyed sharing and hearing perspectives from people who are passionate about this work and have realized the importance we as young adults have over political decisions.

 

Jacquelyn Lawrence

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? Decisions are being made every day that are going to affect young people for the rest of our lives and too often we’re left out of the conversation. I joined the YAB to amplify my voice and the voices of others so that we can impact those decisions and secure better futures for ourselves, our families, and our communities.

 

Rana Sargent LaPine

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I joined the YAB because I believe everyone – regardless of background, socioeconomic status, or age – should have influence and power in policies. I was particularly excited by the opportunity to learn from involved peers and those with a better understanding of the system.

 

Imari Abdullah

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I joined the YAB, because you can not help people without including the communities issues and solutions directly impact. The Youth Advisory Board would give me an opportunity to have my voice heard. I believe in person / community first, and critically think about what it means to advocate for communities in tangible ways.

 

Chelsea Montoya

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I joined the YAB because I wanted to amplify my voice as well as learn the skills to help and encourage my fellow youth do the same.

 

 

Jacob Reagan

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I joined the YAB because I believe the voices of young people must play a greater role in the creation of policy that will shape our future.

 

Alyssa Sandoval

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I joined the YAB to learn and develop tools to amplify the voices of my peers, colleagues, and patients that I encounter through my education and eventual career as a pharmacist. Born and raised in a small town in rural Colorado, it is my mission to give back to these types of communities through the two of the biggest obstacles they face every day, education and healthcare.

 

Gretchen Stibich

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I joined the YAB because I am passionate about creating sustainable change through policy and advocacy. YI makes this possible.

 

Jasmin Thibou

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I joined the YAB to surround myself with and learn from passionate individuals who make community health a primary focus in the work that they do. I see my position on this board as a unique opportunity for me to continue working towards my own mission of helping to create a more equitable and diverse community.

 

Brea Zeise

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I joined the YAB because I believe that young adults need to be included in decisions and solutions to issues that directly affect their lives, including issues around healthcare, higher education, employment, and civic engagement. I admire the space YI has created for young change-makers to come together and build community while working on solutions that provide more opportunity for our generation.

 

Krista Zampacorta

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I hope to take part in creating opportunities and lifting barriers that may impact young people.

 

 

Jessica Leitch

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I joined YAB to ensure the voices of youth are not only heard but also valued.