Boston CASA’s Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is a youth-directed program that aims to amplify, center, and uplift the voices and ideas of youth currently or formerly involved in the foster care system and support their individual and collective growth. Transitional Age Youth (TAY) are foster children ages 14 to 22 who are challenged in making the transition to adult independence without the foundational support a parent or guardian 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 ten-months. During that commitment, they attend monthly in person and virtual workshops. 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 CASAs can assist them. Their experiences have influenced CASA training sessions. The YAB program’s curriculum provides and strengthens critical life skills including personal finance, resume writing, and how to interview for a job. Members will also learn public speaking skills through various public speaking opportunities throughout the ten-months further strengthening advocacy skills. Each year, the YAB members complete a capstone project that they present in a public youth forum to fellow TAY, CASAs, and other stakeholders in the community.
