M.E.A.D.A > Initiatives > Youth Advisory Board

MEADA's Youth Advisory Board

Youth aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow – they are the changemakers of today. Our Youth Advisory Board was created to make a space for youth voices to be heard and taken seriously. This Board is a platform for youth to drive substance use prevention work in Wright County.

Our Mission

Our mission is to empower young people to lead the way in preventing substance use. By sharing their voices, experiences, and ideas, young people help shape real solutions for our schools and communities. We primarily focus on nicotine, cannabis (marijuana), and alcohol.

Our Goals

  1. Provide a teen perspective on substance use prevention in our community
  2. Build youth advocacy and leadership skills to spread the word about prevention and making positive choices
  3. Connect youth with the community 

ENGAGE

Engage

Engaging youth is a win for everyone. We want young people to have safe opportunities to learn and grow, and they bring a fresh, innovative perspective to substance use prevention work.

Gather

GAther

Providing safe, appropriate spaces for youth to gather allows for creative thinking and connecting. When with their peers, youth gain personal and interpersonal skills which help them gain self-confidence and self-esteem.

LEAD

LEAD

Youth are changemakers. Better things happen when we work across all ages to reduce substance use and increase belonging.

Become an Advisory Board Member!

Youth members meet monthly with MEADA’s Project Coordinator to work on youth-specific work. They can also attend the monthly MEADA meetings held the first Wednesday of the month. The Youth Advisory Board focuses on developing advocacy and leadership skills to support youth engagement and promote prevention initiatives. The Youth Advisory Board is an opportunity to develop their voice and confidence as leaders, provide a youth perspective on substance use issues, and gain a network of passionate professionals and peers.

Members can lead or support all kinds of activities like these and more:

  • Creating PSAs, flyers, and social media posts to educate and increase awareness
  • Planning school and county-wide activities
  • Supporting tobacco and alcohol compliance checks
  • Tabling for MEADA at a community event
  • Providing feedback on coalition projects

Fill out the below form to apply to be a Youth Advisory Board member!