Would you like to make $100 a month?

If you are between 14 and 25 years old, this may be for you.

The Downtown Youth Clinic is looking for a few young people to be on its Youth Advisory Council (YAC). As a YAC member, you will play an important role in how the DYC provides services to its clients.

All you have to do is commit to working on the YAC for no more than 10 hours a month for ten months and you will receive $100.00 stipend for your time every month.

What is the Youth Advisory Council?

The Youth Advisory Council is a group of Downtown Youth Clinic clients that review the services clients receive at the DYC. The YAC will evaluate existing youth services and will develop new directions for youth care at the DYC. The YAC will educate and encourage young adults to take an active part in their health care. The YAC will let the DYC know if we need to do something we are not and how we can improve what we are already doing.

How much time will I have to commit?

About 10 hours per month. If you are interested in becoming a member of the YAC, you must keep some flexibility in your schedule, as the YAC schedule is not yet set in stone. Meetings will happen at least three times a month for about 3&1/2 hours each meeting. Since the Downtown Youth Clinic is closed on Saturdays and Sundays, we will not be meeting on those days. Weekends will be all yours!

Will I get paid?

You will not be an employee of the Downtown Youth Clinic, but instead a consultant and will receive stipends of $100 per month for your time and effort.

How long will I need to commit to the YAC?

At this time the YAC is scheduled to run for ten months. If you are interested in being on the YAC, you will need to commit for at least eight months. Depending on the success of the YAC there is a possibility that the project may be extended if needed or if you come up with any additional project ideas.

Why should I become a member of the YAC?

Becoming a member of the YAC means giving back to the Downtown Youth Clinic and your community. Members of the YAC will work to make the DYC a better place for all youth. The members of the YAC will:

become leaders and act as bridges between health care teams and their communities;
receive training in the areas of research, evaluation and data analysis;
develop professional communication skills;
be compensated for their time; and,
have many opportunities to attend and present on local projects at national conferences.

What will the YAC look like?

The YAC will be composed of 8 to 10 community members. Some of the members will be from the Downtown Youth Clinic and others from Children’s Hospital Oakland. It is important that the YAC reflect the community it serves. All members will be between the ages 14 and 25. It is also important that the YAC represent the diverse cultures from which our clients come and their diverse gender expressions.

What are some qualities a YAC member would possess?

The YAC is a great opportunity for young people who are activist-oriented or who would like to learn about being an active member of their community. The main requirement is a willingness to learn about their community and its needs. You must want to have fun, meet new people and make new friends. Not everyone is the same and for that reason, the Downtown Youth Clinic hopes to put together a group of young people who are diverse and bring with them individual strengths which will add up to a dynamic team!

How can I become a member of the YAC?

Clients of the Downtown Youth Clinic or any other Family Care Network affiliate can apply to become members of the Youth Advisory Council by simply filling out our online application (application opens in new window):.

If you have any questions or need more information please contact A. Daniel Ramos, Treatment and Care Retention Coordinator at 510.869.8493 or:

Youth voices, suggestions, and actions are needed, respected and valued at the Downtown Youth Clinic.

“YAC-atty, YAC!
We’ll talk back!”