Young Invincibles (YI) is accepting applications for the Midwest Spring 2023 Young Advocates Program (YAP). It is a unique, paid, and virtual fellowship program which trains young adults ages 18-34 on ways to address inequities in higher education, healthcare, and access to quality jobs through advocacy and the legislative process.
Advocates will work closely with our YI Midwest team to engage their communities around advocacy initiatives and policy issues. Participants will work individually and in small teams to create and implement strategies to increase knowledge about higher education and healthcare policies, and equitable jobs for young adults. Advocates will also receive training and hands-on experience in a variety of advocacy tools and connect with local partners and campaigns working on the issues they care about.
Ideal candidates for the Young Advocates Program will have some experience in policy, advocacy, and/or organizing, and a passion for creating change through the legislative process. Advocates will be expected to attend all virtual meetings, in-person meetings, and fulfill 8 hours of work weekly for the duration of the program.
This program is open to Illinois residents who are residing full-time in Illinois for the duration of the program. Applicants must be between the ages of 18-34 on the first day of the program to be considered. Applicants of historically marginalized and minoritized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Program Overview
The program will run virtually via Zoom, with the exception of Orientation, Graduation, and 1-2 events during the program, which will be in person. In person events will be at WeWork at the National, located at 125 S. Clark Street on the 17th floor. Transportation to and from the WeWork office is covered for Young Advocates. Advocates will meet online every Friday from 11am to 3pm. The program will begin on Friday, February 10, 2023 and will end on Friday, May 12, 2023. There will be no sessions on March 10, April 7, or April 28. Advocates are expected to work 8 hours per week, 4 of which will be designated for group training on Fridays, and the remaining hours for completing related projects during the rest of the week.
At the weekly meetings, Advocates will receive training on community organizing, policy advocacy, strategic communications skills, as well as the history of our key issue areas. In addition, each participant will be asked to 1) conduct background research; 2) conduct surveys and/or focus groups and quantify results; 3) participate in an Advocacy Day; 4) advocate for institution-level policy changes; and 5) produce an individual or team digital product such as a blog post, graphic quote, or video. These activities will be completed outside the weekly training hours.
Compensation
Advocates will be paid a rate of $15.00 per hour for training and work on projects over the course of the program, with a maximum of 8 hours per week.
Qualifications
- Must show willingness and ability to work independently and as a member of a team
- Must have the ability to work in a professional environment and show maturity in the workplace
- Must be aligned with YI’s vision and values
- Must be creative, have initiative, and able to work in a fast-paced environment
- As our program is currently virtual, access to a laptop and WiFi will be necessary to participate. If you anticipate having an issue with this, please email Troy at troy.alim@younginvincibles.org
- Must be between 18-34 on the first day of program (February 10, 2023)
- Must reside in Illinois full-time during the duration of the program
- A college degree or current college enrollment are NOT required.
- Applicants of historically marginalized and minoritized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application
Apply to YAP
The deadline to apply is Friday, January 13, 2023 at 11:59 pm CT.
Do you have any questions or concerns? Contact Troy Alim at troy.alim@younginvincibles.org.
About Young Invincibles
Young Invincibles is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to engage young adults ages 18 to 34 in the political process and expand economic opportunity for our generation. Founded by and for young adults in the summer of 2009 during the debate over health care reform, YI has quickly grown into a leading voice for young people on the broader spectrum of economic justice, with a focus in the issue areas of health care, higher education, and economic security.
Young Invincibles is an equal employment opportunity employer and strongly encourages diverse candidates to apply. YI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy), gender, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, medical condition including genetic characteristics, mental or physical disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, (including transgender status), weight, height, linguistic characteristics (such as accent and limited English proficiency, where not substantially job-related), citizenship status, or any other basis prohibited by law.