YI Blog - Introducing our 2021 Colorado Youth Advisory Board

In January, Young Invincibles’ Rocky Mountain office launched its 2021 Youth Advisory Board. The YAB meets with staff four times a year, where we discuss what YI has accomplished since our last meeting, new campaigns we’re working on, and our plans for youth outreach going forward.

To learn more about our 2021 Rocky Mountain Youth Advisory Board, scroll below.

Alexander Modrzecki

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? The YAB provides me the opportunity to make my community more equitable and sustainable through just policy change. The fair and equal treatment of citizens is imperative to my mission of creating a more harmonious public sphere in cities.

Annelise Grygiel

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board?I joined YAB because I firmly believe in the mission of giving young adults a voice in policymaking. We often go unheard by lawmakers whose decisions today affect our future. Whether it’s health care, higher education, workforce & finances, civic engagement, the fight for equality, etc., it’s critical to include everyone in the conversation.

Briana Baros

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board?I joined the YAB because I believe it is so important for younger voices to be heard. Especially after this past year 2020, I have seen young voices and opinions being dismissed quite too often. A lot of policies and decisions are being put into place that affect young people’s everyday lives and yet we are still left out. The YAB would be a great opportunity to meet other like minded people, gain better leadership skills, and learn how to better advocate for my community.

Chris Nelson

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board?I joined the YAB because I want to do everything I can to help amplify the voices of young adults and advocate for policies to better serve us. I have a strong passion for social and economic justice. We need bold policies including: Medicare for All, Student Debt Forgiveness, and a Green New Deal. Politics needs to better serve the needs of young adults and the multiracial working class; I want to be a part of shifting our country’s political priorities.

Daysha Monique Otero

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I joined the YAB because I have a passion for speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves. I want to be apart of the representation of our youth and be an active part of the decisions being made and the change happening every day.

Isabella Fernandes de Oliveira

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I joined the YAB because I wanted to be connected with people around my state who were passionate about change and had different background, experiences, and perspectives than me. It seems like a great opportunity to learn the issues people in my community deal with and their ideas for a better future. Change needs to start from the bottom up, so I was happy to join a group of young adults who have different stories to share and different ideas of what that change should look like.

Jake Paschke

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I wanted to join the YAB because I am so passionate about the work Young Invincibles is doing and all that is being accomplished. I wanted to take part in that movement and use my interest in higher education and youth political involvement to make a difference.

Jasmine Razo

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I joined the YAB because I was inspired by the values of YI to believe in young adult’s ability to be leaders in their community. After attending an event hosted by YI, I was further inspired by the courageous individuals who shared their own struggles with mental health, and the barriers they faced related to accessing quality care. I am excited to be of service to my community by serving on the YAB and be involved in advocacy work that pushes for equitable access to healthcare, higher education, and economic opportunities for young people!

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.

Jessica Leitch

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I joined YAB to provide support to an organization that provides a platform for the voices of our youth, a group that is often forgotten in policy making. I’ve enjoyed learning from peers and youth this past year, and I look forward to this upcoming year and learning from the creativity of others in planning for an ideal future in which individuals (regardless of background) can thrive in society.

Kaitlyn Tollefson

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I joined the YAB because the young people in today’s society need to be a part of the decisions that directly impact us. This program gives young adults a platform to advocate for a better and more inclusive future. Everyone should have input in policies, regardless of their age, gender, race, sexuality, or financial status, and YI provides the resources for us to make this happen.

Kimberly Tolchinsky

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I believe that representation is important, especially in law, health care, and higher education. I want to be the voice for the voiceless and the Young Invincibles is a great platform for it!

Kody Simpson

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I wanted to be a part of the YAB because I want to make a difference. We always make a difference as voters, which has been my primary objective working in politics, making sure everyone knows their voices are important and heard. I have my voice, it is time I help others recognize their own.

Laine Olmstead

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I chose to join YI because I truly care about helping others and bettering my community through activism. Working with like minded individuals who have overcome many obstacles inspires me to be the best advocate I can be. Through important dialogue and conversations I hope to improve lives and make this world a better place.

Liam Corsun

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I joined YI to make a difference in important areas of government policy, as well as to advocate for youth like myself, especially those who are not able to vote. It is my goal to advocate for what I think young people will benefit from most, as I am essentially serving as a representative of an entire age group.

Linda Schiller

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? In the Young Advocates Program, I got the chance to see firsthand how YI listens to and amplifies youth voices from our communities in order to address the issues that impact them the most. I want to continue to do my part to build a better future by pushing for real, effective policy change that actually addresses the problems that people of marginalized communities face. I also plan to work in healthcare, which is a field deeply impacted by public policy, so I look forward to learning and building the skills that will make me a better advocate for the communities that I’ll serve.

Prisca V Sisa

Rana Sargent

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.

Richard Benedict Casaus III

Why did you join the Youth Advisory Board? I joined the YAB because I believe that knowledge is power. I believe that education fertilizes the seeds of leadership that have been planted in our society. I have seen myself and many others blossom into well renowned individuals through their educations. I joined the Youth Advisory Board to be a part of something bigger. I want to cultivate success in myself and others.