Meet the YAB Members
The YAB is made up of an incredible team of youth activists
who work to promote justice, advocacy and youth leadership!
The YAB runs on a flat leadership structure, meaning that
we all share responsibilities, we all make decisions, and we are all leaders.
We're proud to introduce you to our YAB Members!
YAB Spotlight!
Meet Robert - Yab Member since June 2023
Robert is a recent Edgewood College graduate. He graduated with a BS in Psychology with a concentration on social work. He interned at Connections Counseling and during his internship he was licensed as a Substance Abuse Counselor in Training. He is passionate about decreasing the stigma and judgement around substance use and addiction. He joined the YAB to gain more knowledge about system interaction and to create accessible resources for Dane County youth facing or experiencing homelessness. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games and writing music.
Leadership specialties:
Social Work and Psychology
Check back soon to meet our
next Spotlight Member!
Deja
She/Her/Hers
Deja has been with the Youth Action Board since 2021 and has dedicated herself consistently to every area of the YAB Development and Activities! Seriously, From her support in raising funds and awareness, to her perspective in policy creation, to sitting on the HSC Board, Deja does it all! Outside of the YAB, Deja is a bubbly, fun, loving person who enjoys spending time with her friends and close family! She loves traveling, trying new things, and addressing social issues straight forward!
Lilly
They/Them/Theirs
Lilly is a senior at UW Madison pursuing a BSE in the Elementary Education program, with a focus on Early Childhood Education/ESL. They are currently serving as the YAB Project Implementation Lead. They've lived in Wisconsin all their life, and moved to Madison for college about 3 years ago. They joined the YAB in July of 2022, after participating in a listening session hosted by the YAB. This empowered them to want to help make a difference for homeless youth & young adults in Dane County. They are very passionate about housing equity, educational access, and early childhood development. In their free time, Lilly enjoys creating art, grabbing treats from local coffee shops, and spending time with their two cats.
Rachel
She/Her/Hers
Rachel is an artist, writer and advocate for disabled and homeless youth. Her advocacy is grounded in her own lived experience of homelessness as a teen. She works as a consultant for several organizations that address youth homelessness on a national level, including Youth Collaboratory and True Colors United. Outside of her homelessness work, she writes and draws comics! You can see them here.
Robert
He/Him/His
Robert is a recent Edgewood College graduate. He graduated with a BS in Psychology with a concentration on social work. He interned at Connections Counseling and during his internship he was licensed as a Substance Abuse Counselor in Training. He is passionate about decreasing the stigma and judgement around substance use and addiction. He joined the YAB to gain more knowledge about system interaction and to create accessible resources for Dane County youth facing or experiencing homelessness. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games and writing music. He joined the YAB in June 2023!
Arree
He/Him/His
Arree has been with the YAB since its origin in 2019, and has supported the board from early development into the fully functioning board that it is today, and he has become the board's first YAB Mentor! Beyond his work with the YAB, Arree supports young people in the community as the world's most caring teacher and camp coordinator! He also sits on the HSC Board, and the National Youth Forum on Homelessness!
Kelsey
She/Her/Hers
Kelsey is a Madison native who is dedicated to ensuring young people have access to information and support! Kelsey ensures this by managing the YAB's social media and website! In her free time, Kelsey likes to spend time learning about astrology, crystals, and the history of social issues. When she's not working for the YAB, she's busy building her own business! She joined the YAB in July, 2022!
YAB Graduates
These members left a lasting impact on the Youth Action Board. Their contributions during their membership will effect the future of our community and our YAB for years to come! We are so thankful for their time with the yab!
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Amy
She/Her/Hers or
They/Them/Theirs
Amy is a 2023 graduate of Vel Phillips Memorial High School and was dual-enrolled at UW. Upon graduation, they accepted an offer to attend Berkley University of California!
They're passionate about period poverty, intersecting oppressions, environmental justice, and ending youth homelessness. They enjoy reading in their free time, and they're committed to providing equitable assistance to their community! Amy dedicated herself to the strengthening of the YAB and development of YHDP from her start in February 2021 through her graduation in June 2023. We are thankful for Amy's strengths in Fundraising and Raising Awareness, and her bright and caring personality!