The Queen Alexandra Foundation Youth Advisory Council (YAC) was established in April of 1999 to provide learning opportunities for youth, encourage youth involvement within their communities, promote leadership in youth and attempt to advance knowledge, appreciation and respect for the diversity of Canadian society. The 15 youth on the YAC, aged 14-19, meet every two weeks to discuss upcoming projects, goals and volunteer opportunities for, by, and with youth.

In June of 1999, the Youth Advisory Council participated in a national symposium on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). After the symposium, the Council became actively involved in promoting the UNCRC, organizing workshops and promoting youth-led projects and conferences throughout the area. The Council also acted as a resource for Victoria-area youth by compiling Streams, a directory of volunteer opportunities for youth on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

ABOVE:  Members of the YAC meet every second week
to work on projects and discuss issues relating to children,
youth and families.

Over the past nine years, the Council has maintained its high level of involvement in the community and the Queen Alexandra Foundation, not only by volunteering and participating in numerous events, but also by managing its own grant program.  Through the Youth Advisory Council Grant Program, the Council supports youth-oriented and youth-led organizations and projects such as the Young Parents Support Network, the Port Alberni Youth Health Centre, and the Comox Valley Youth Grief Group, among others.

YAC Update ~ Spring 2008
A Youth Voice

By Evan Fryer, YAC Journalist

The Queen Alexandra Foundation's Youth Advisory Council (YAC) has had a busy start to 2008 welcoming new members to our team, supporting Foundation events, reviewing grant applications and distributing grants to various organizations that fit our cause.

The members of the YAC have been working to find ways to connect with the organizations we support with grants.  One organization we recently gave a grant to was the Victoria Riding for the Disabled Association.  Our $1,500 grant in the spring of 2007 made it possible for four youth riders to go to the BC Disability Games in Powell River.  A few of our members went to meet some of the youth who benefited from the grant.  "It was great to hear from the youth themselves about their experiences at the BC Disability Games," explains YAC member Kelsey Highsted.

ABOVE:  YAC member Kelsey Highsted presents a $1,000 YAC grant to
members of the Victoria Riding for the Disabled Association.

We also plan to meet with the youth involved in the Belmont Teen Mentoring Program.  This past fall, the YAC gave a $1,000 grant to help expand this mentoring program to include 20 additional youth partnered with children in two additional elementary schools in Langford and Colwood. 

Recently , we have been recruiting new members to the YAC.  I think many of our YAC members choose to volunteer with the Queen Alexandra Foundation because you get a sense of accomplishment knowing you're giving back and doing something for the community, and sometimes giving a helping hand to those less fortunate than you.

 For more information about the Youth Advisory Council, please contact Susana Guardado at 250-519-6722, or email her at susana.guardado@viha.ca.