CLOSED for 2022-2023 academic year through August 12, 2022.
Overview
New in 2019, the BRIDGES Youth Advisory Board provides perspective and input to BRIDGES’ adult staff in order to help shape the direction of the Bridge Builders program and the organization as a whole. The focus of the YAB is to strengthen and uphold the vision and mission of BRIDGES and to provide insight, share decision-making responsibilities, and increase youth voice internally.
YAB members are Bridge Builders who demonstrate a deep commitment to the mission and values of BRIDGES, are curious about how the organization operates, and are interested in developing skills in the area of nonprofit leadership and board service.
2021-2022 BRIDGES Youth Advisory Board
Co-Chairs & Communications Co-Chairs
Azana Bruce (she/her/hers), 12th grade, Whitehaven High School
Zaheen Chowdhury (she/her/hers),10th grade, Pleasant View School
Development Co-Chairs
Jana Elabiad (she/her/hers), 12th grade, Pleasant View School
Maitri Vijayanand (she/her/hers), 9th grade, Collierville High School
Members at Large
Caleb Ayers (he/him/his), 9th grade, Central High School
Chaz Bullock (he/him/his), 10th grade, Bartlett High School
Madalynn Campbell (she/her/hers), 8th grade, John P. Freeman Optional School
Hannah Faulkner (she/her/hers), 10th grade, Bartlett High School
Averie Howell (she/her/hers), 10th grade, St. Mary’s Episcopal School
Emmanuel Mosley (he/him/his), 11th grade, Brighton High School
Madisyn Richmond (she/her/hers), 12th grade, DeSoto Central High School
Salina Shamsuddin (she/her/hers), 10th grade, Collierville High School
Alaya Turner (she/her/hers), 9th grade, Southaven High School
Sara Weinstein (she/her/hers), 12th grade, Margolin Hebrew Academy
Ethan Yang (he/him/his), 12th grade, White Station High School
Meeting dates for the 2022-2023 school year:
| Date | Time | Activity | Location |
| 8/27/2022 | 10:00 am to 4:00pm | Youth Advisory Board Orientation (Mandatory) | BRIDGES Center |
| 9/8/2022 | 4:30-6:15pm | Board Meeting (Committee Kick-Off) | BRIDGES Center |
| 9/22/2022 | 4:45-5:45pm | Committee Meeting | *virtual |
| 10/6/2022 | 4:30-6:15pm | Board Meeting | BRIDGES Center |
| 10/27/2022 | 4:30-6:15pm | Meet & Greet with BRIDGES Board of Directors + Committee Meeting | BRIDGES Center |
| 11/3/2022 | 4:30-6:15pm | Board Meeting | BRIDGES Center |
| 11/17/2022 | 4:45-5:45pm | Committee Meeting | *virtual |
| 12/1/2022 | 4:30-6:15pm | Board Meeting | BRIDGES Center |
| 12/15/2022 | 4:45-5:45pm | Committee Meeting | *virtual |
| 1/12/2023 | 4:30-6:15pm | Board Meeting | BRIDGES Center |
| 1/26/2023 | 4:45-5:45pm | Committee Meeting | *virtual |
| 2/2/2023 | 4:30-6:15pm | Board Meeting | BRIDGES Center |
| 2/16/2023 | 4:45-5:45pm | Committee Meeting | *virtual |
| 3/9/2023 | 3:30-7:30pm | BRIDGES Board of Directors and Youth Advisory Retreat | BRIDGES Center |
| 3/30.2023 | 4:45-5:45pm | Committee Meeting | *virtual |
| 4/13/2023 | 4:30-6:15pm | Board Meeting | BRIDGES Center |
| 4/27/2023 | 4:30-6:15pm | Closing Meeting | BRIDGES Center |
Blue highlight and Bold = highest importance
Requirements:
- Have completed at least one full year of Bridge Builders COLLABORATE
- Are in 8th-12th grade
- Able to attend two monthly meetings (one at the BRIDGES Center and one virtual) from August to May, as well as be available for other periodic opportunities that arise throughout the year (such as interviewing potential staff hires and attending strategic planning sessions)
