The Skillman Foundation announces President’s Youth Council to guide strategy

As a fierce champion of Detroit children, The Skillman Foundation’s most important advisers are unequivocally Detroit’s young people. We revere their perspectives and insights and regularly seek ways to incorporate their input into our work. As part of our commitment to developing effective community solutions that place Kids First, our President & CEO, Tonya Allen, is establishing the President’s Youth Council (PYC). Council members will identify issues that are most important to Detroit youth and provide the president with their perspectives on the Foundation’s efforts to improve and expand educational and economic opportunities for young Detroiters. 

Logistics 

• The Council will consist of 10 youth who are:
  • Between the ages of 12-20 
  • Residents of Detroit 
  • A diverse range of ages, races, genders, abilities, interests, neighborhoods, schools, etc. 
• Council members are expected to:
  • Attend 2-3 meetings per year 
  • Occasionally gather input from other Detroit youth outside of regular meetings  
  • Serve a two-year term
• Members will be financially compensated for their time in the following ways:
  • $250 per meeting 
  • A $1,000 stipend upon successful completion of a two-year term 
  • Full reimbursement for transportation

Responsibilities  

• Council Members will:
  • Discuss issues and ideas that are significant to them and their peers.  
  • Provide input to inform the Foundation’s role as a changemaker in Detroit. 
  • Gather insights and feedback from other young people.
• The Foundation will:
  • Learn from young people and incorporate their ideas and perspectives into our work.  
  • Facilitate conversations about the issues and ideas that are most important to young people.

Outcomes 

• Council Members will:
  • Influence the direction of the Foundation’s work to improve and expand educational and economic opportunities for young Detroiters.  
  • Grow their leadership skills and network through the program, helping them expand their influence and voice beyond their involvement with the Foundation.
• The Foundation will:
  • Develop more effective, youth-driven community solutions. 
  • Create deeper relationships with Detroit youth leaders.

Nominations

The Foundation is currently taking nominations for our President’s Youth Council. Nominations close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2020.