The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is a program of Boston CASA that aims to amplify, center, and uplift the voices of youth currently or formerly involved in the foster care system and support their individual and collective growth. Transitional Age Youth Advocacy (TAY) are foster children ages 14 to 22 who are challenged in making the transition to adult independence without the foundational support a parent provides. The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) was started in 2023 to improve the future for TAY both collectively and individually. Each year, five TAY are accepted to join the YAB for a ten-month program. During that commitment, they attend monthly in person workshops and a monthly Zoom meeting. One of the purposes of YAB is to provide feedback to Boston CASA on the specific hurdles they face in becoming independent and how their Special Advocates can assist them. Their experiences have influenced CASA training sessions. The YAB program’s curriculum provides them in critical life skills including personal finance, resume writing, and how to interview for a job. They also learn public speaking and advocacy to prepare them as voices for other foster children and to reform in the system. Each year, the YAB members complete a capstone project that they present in a public forum to fellow TAY, CASAs, and other stakeholders in the community.
