A Way Home America is interested in partnering with YYA (youth and young adults) who are passionate about transforming policy on our team. We currently have a cohort of policy-minded young people with lived experience of homelessness to inform and lead AWHA's policy priorities at the federal, state, and local levels and would love for YOU to join! We understand that to guide the work ahead, those most impacted by the crisis of youth homelessness must have primary influence. Below is what you can expect in your commitment as a Youth Policy Team (YPT) Member:
- While serving as a YPT Member, once fully onboarded, we will finalize the meeting schedule. You can anticipate the group will meet in-person and/or virtually two times annually for one day or longer. Meetings will occur at various locations throughout the country, dovetailing with existing national events or conferences where possible;
YPT calls will occur weekly on Friday at 2PM ET | 1PM CT | 11AM PT. YPT members should be comfortable with a variety of online meeting formats, including Zoom, Google Hangout, etc.;
YPT members will need to be comfortable consistently responding and sending emails, answering texts and calls for YPT work;
Anticipated time commitment involved is a maximum of 4 hours/week. This weekly allotment may also include sub-committee work from time to time. YPT members will be paid $57 an hour during the period of 48-weeks throughout the calendar year. This is a one-year mutual agreement, with the option for a continual renewal for as long as mutually agreed upon; and
What you could gain:
(a) Networking with other YYA leaders and other movement leaders;
(b) Experience working with a leader organization in the youth homelessness movement; (c) The ability to understand and comprehend the system in which you are advocating for change; and (d) The opportunity to develop transferable skills for opportunities related to your professional goals.
Application Closes: This application will remain open on a rolling basis and you will be contacted for an interview when/if there are openings.
The AWHA team is currently seeking dedicated leaders in the movement to end youth homelessness to join us! We are looking for:
- YYA with lived expertise (This role doesn't require you to share your lived experience. However, your lived experience does give you a unique perspective and insight into this work and is welcome in this space);
- YYA who are interested in pursuing or furthering a career in politics;
- YYA that will honor their commitment as a YPT member; and
- YYA that understand that while we are committed to the policy work that will support the prevention and ending of homelessness, we do not have a perfect system as we are doing this work. We ask for partnership, understanding, grace, and respect as we are all working together.
AWHA is guided by the following Core Values:
Youth homelessness exists today largely due to America’s long history of structural racism and systemic inequities. In order to end youth homelessness, we will work to ensure our systems work for all youth. We see equity as providing opportunities and resources based on need, realizing not everyone starts in the same place. Justice takes this concept a step further by removing the barriers that impede equal rights and self-determination; it seeks to overturn oppression at its roots. The AWHA Youth Policy Team will strengthen their knowledge, skills, attitudes and personal competency to address inequity and injustice internally and, in AWHA's external efforts, through continual practice of these core principles listed below:
(1) Recognize and Center Intersectionality;
(2) Name and Challenge White Supremacy;
(3) Engage in Principled Struggle;
(4) Practice Targeted Universalism;
(5) Generate Transformative Visions Towards Liberation;
(6) Create a Culture of Accountability; and
(7) Shift Power to Youth and Young Adults
Please answer the questions, below. A resume is not required, but if you have one, please send to josh@awayhomeamerica.org.
