We're Recruiting!
For the Youth Leadership Team, That Is
You know you're awesome...so why not share that awesome with us? We're looking for bright, committed, and enthusiastic teens from across the nation to join our Youth Leadership Team (YLT). From February 14 through May 14, we are accepting applications for the 2013-2014 YLT. Wanna know more?
About the Youth Leadership Team
The YLT works to reflect teens’ views and to give voice to their unique perspectives by getting them actively involved—both nationally and locally—in teen pregnancy prevention efforts. During their 18-month term, YLT members participate in a variety of activities that both promote teen pregnancy prevention and expand their own abilities.
Past YLT members have spoken to the press about teen pregnancy prevention and related issues to outlets such as NBC News, ABC News, CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, Seventeen, and Essence magazines, “The Tom Joyner Morning Show,” and MTV. YLTers have written articles for our own Stay Teen site as well as other teen-oriented media, and have contributed to National Campaign publications.
YLT members:
- serve as youth advisors to The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, the parent organization of Stay Teen;
- participate in training sessions so they are more comfortable working with the press and speaking publicly about our issues;
- visit Capitol Hill and meet with their Senators and Representatives to talk about teen pregnancy prevention;
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receive assistance planning projects in their own communities to raise awareness of the issue; and
- participate in National Campaign activities, like the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.
YLT members were also instrumental in helping The National Campaign develop broadcast ads for our Stay Teen public service campaign. Ads created by and starring YLT members have aired on FOX, Lifetime, and TeenNick (check them out here!).
STILL want to know more? We've asked some of our YLT alums to write their thoughts on what it was like to serve as a member; you can read a new entry every few weeks during the recruitment process here:
- New Experiences, Tori M.
- Friday 5: The 5 Moments from the YLT that Changed My Life, Ben R.
- Tera-Wha???: My Best and Silliest Moments as a Member of YLT, Allison G.
YLT applicants must be 14-17 years old as of August 1, 2013 and have be recommended by an adult who is not related to you (like a teacher, friend of the family, coach, or youth advisor); you can download a full application with all the rules and info here. Questions? Send us an email!
Enter your zip code below to find a health center nearby.
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Have you shared your birthday on Facebook? What about your real name? You're not alone: t.co/eqSEQsFjgw via @pewresearch
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Wish you could talk to your parents about relationships? It's time. Head to t.co/WLQvHMdkS7 and start talking. #ND13
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Quizzes at school are lame, but this one is fun. You get an A+ just for taking it! Go ahead, brainiac. t.co/WLQvHMdkS7 #ND13
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Every day, more than 2000 teen girls get pregnant in the U.S. Get smart. Know the facts. Take the quiz @ t.co/WLQvHMdkS7. #ND13
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Did you enjoy the National Day Quiz? Then vote for us! #ND13 @BlueCadet t.co/MHBTjYc4wN
WHAT OTHER TEENS ARE SAYING:
How many people make it in?
@SHAE
Each team normally has between 12 and 15 teens.
What happens if we are accepted into the program and something comes up that causes us not to be able to attend the first conference.
@ANONYMOUS
The first meeting is mandatory. Your spot will be given to another applicant if you cannot attend the first meeting.
when will we find out whether we go in or not?
@ANONYMOUS:
Candidates selected for the 2013-2014 Youth Leadership Team will be notified by phone before June 14th. All other candidates will be notified by mail in the following weeks.
My friend heard about this last week, and just got the application. Will her application still be considered if she mails it on Tuesday? She has to get her recommendation tomorrow.
@ANYONYMOUS:
The application will be accepted if it is postmarked by May 14th. However, to make sure we have everything in plenty of time, we would prefer that you scan and email your application to admin@stayteen.org.
When will we find out who has been chosen to be in the YLT?
@ ANONYMOUS:
Selected candidates for the 2013-2014 Youth Leadership Team will be notified by phone before June 14th. All other candidates will be notified by mail in the following weeks.
When will we know if we are accepted or not?
@ ANONYMOUS:
Selected candidates for the 2013-2014 Youth Leadership Team will be notified by phone before June 14th. All other candidates will be notified by mail in the following weeks.
Will my application be accepted if it's mailed and scheduled to arrive on May 14th?
@ANONYMOUS:
Yes.
I'm so excited! I just got this application 10 minutes ago and all I need now is my reference. I can't wait to send this in! This organization is so fantastic. I hope I get accepted. I'm gonna tell my friends about it. I hope they apply too.
If I am home schooled am I still eligible to be a part of the Youth Leadership Team?
@ LUCY:
It doesn’t matter if you are home schooled, attend private, public, or charter school. As long as you meet the age requirements you are eligible for the team.
i am currently writing my blog for my application to YLT. May i ask your opinions on abortion?
@BREANNA:
We are a prevention organization and do not take a position on abortion. We believe in giving teens the information and tools they need to prevent pregnancy.
I've noticed that you talk a lot about shows with a focus on teen pregnancy like 16 and Pregnant, Teen Mom, and The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Will it hurt my chances to be a part of the Youth Leadership Team if I do not keep up with those shows/they aren't my favorite?
@ANONYMOUS:
Nope! We do talk a lot about pop culture and popular tv shows, but there is absolutely no requirement that you have to keep up with them like we do!
How Can You Sign Up? Is There Any Certain Policies, where can i get the application?
@ANONYMOUS:
The application is posted above:
YLT applicants must be 14-17 years old as of August 1, 2013 and have be recommended by an adult who is not related to you (like a teacher, friend of the family, coach, or youth advisor);you can download the application here: http://stayteen.org/sites/default/files/pdf/2013_ylt_application.pdf
I would love to join. But do not have the money to go to D.C . Is that provided ?
@ ANONYMOUS:
Your travel, lodging, and food for all trips to DC will be completely covered; souvenirs and extra stuff are your responsibility.
I was 16 after august and now I'm 17. Am I eligible to apply? And where can I find it?
@ ASHLEY BAKER:
You have to be 14-17 years old as of August 1, 2013--if you're going to be over 18 after August 1, you're not eligible to apply. The application is available to download at the end of the story above!
what if we are going to turn 18 over summer and start college this fall, may we still join ??
@ ANONYMOUS:
You have to be 14-17 years old as of August 1, 2013--if you're going to be over 18 after August 1, you're not eligible to apply.
What is we apply and then move? will that effect our standing as a member if we move during term?
@ BELLS:
As long as you're still living in the United States, you're good to go.
Where the meetings be held
@ LASHON:
Meetings are held in Washington DC at the headquarters of The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.
How long would you be at the camp?
@ANONYMOUS:
To clarify, this isn't camp. The YLT meets 3 times during its term and meetings are 2-3 days long, often over weekends to minimize missed school time, and are held in Washington DC at the headquarters of The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.
I really want to join! But what are your views on abortion? and how hard is it to be accepted into the program?
@ ANONYMOUS:
We are a prevention organization and do not take a position on abortion. We believe in giving teens the information and tools they need to prevent pregnancy.
We receive between 75-100 applications and accepted between 12-15 teens for each team.
where do you have to live to join
@ ALLIE:
We select teens from across the country, so as long as you live in the United States you're ok to apply.
Is the program only in the summer
@ ANONYMOUS:
The first meeting is in the summer. The second and third meetings will be held during the spring and fall of 2014.
What if I can't make it to the first meeting?
@ ANONYMOUS:
The first meeting is mandatory; unfortunately, if you are unable to attend, you cannot join the YLT.
I thank its cool that you guys are helping,us out and letting us know that its okay to talk about or problems.THANK YOU :-)
Do you have to be in a certain state to do this and will it take off from school?
@ ANONYMOUS:
You can be from anywhere in the United States. The first meeting is August 7-9, so depending on when your school district starts you might have to miss school.
I am not able to download the application to my computer, is there any way you can email it to me?
@ ANONYMOUS:
Email us at admin@stayteen.org and we'll send you a PDF of the application.
How many people are they recruiting?
@ JASMINE:
We usually recruit between 12 and 18 kids for the Youth Leadership Team.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: