HEY! Fellows

HEY! Fellows
Application Overview

Overview

We are seeking young people, ages 14-24, from Greater Cincinnati to apply for a paid Fellowship opportunity to advance key components of HEY!’s 10-year strategy.

HEY! (Hopeful Empowered Youth) is a coalition of community groups, healthcare providers, educators, policymakers, families, and most importantly, young people, working collaboratively to create a community that supports the well-being of all youth from ages 0-24 in Greater Cincinnati. HEY! has developed a 10-year vision in which the Youth of Greater Cincinnati are valued and supported by the community and have a say in systems that help them achieve well-being.

Fellowship Key Details

Ages: 14-24
Numbers: Approximately 20 individuals will be selected for the Fellowship
Duration: The Fellowship will be from December 2024-May 2025
Applicant Demographics: All young people in the Greater Cincinnati region are invited to apply. The 10-year strategy is designed to improve supports for all youth in the region with a targeted focus on those who are facing the greatest barriers from the current system: Black youth, LGBTQ+ youth, and systems involved youth (involvement with child welfare, foster care, juvenile justice system).
Hours/month: 20-25 hours per month
Rate: $20/hr
Facilitation Team: Youth At The Center and HEY!

Application & Info Session Information: www.youthatthecenter.org/fellowship
Application Deadline: November 10, 2024
Info Session: October 28, 2024 at 6:30pm (Virtual)  

Meeting Locations/Timing

The Fellowship will begin in December. Fellows will meet regularly on Monday evenings from 5:30pm – 8:00pm at the Youth At The Center Office (downtown at 500 Reading Rd, 45202). Food is provided for Fellows at each meeting.

Focus Areas

Fellows will work together in groups to advance key components of the 10-year strategy in one of three areas: Social Media, Information Gathering, & Engagement. 

Social Media Group:

Participants in the Social Media group will develop content and materials that promote the work of HEY! on its social media channels and website. They will also develop resources on healthy engaging with social media for their peers. Members will be supported by a communication consultant who will provide training and support.  

Information Gathering Group:

Participants in the Information Gathering group will identify what population health information is needed to advance the 10-year vision and work together to design creative ways to capture youth voices and perspectives from throughout the region. While all Fellows will play a role in circulating surveys, this group will coordinate those efforts to collect responses from young people throughout the region. Members will be supported by the expertise of HEY!’s Data Workgroup.   

Engagement Group:

Participants in the Engagement Group will develop tools to improve youth experiences in organizations, schools, and treatment facilities. Materials will include indicators of safe spaces assessment tool for institutions, trusted adult training for adults, and support the development of youth patient advisory boards. Members of the Engagement Group will be supported by a skilled team with expertise on curriculum development and facilitation.

What else will Fellows be doing?

In addition to the Group Project focus, Fellows will:

• Provide feedback and perspectives to help move the broader HEY! initiative forward, particularly informing the work of the Steering Committee and Workgroups

• Receive skill development and support at weekly training sessions

• All Fellows will play a role in data collection to ensure as many youth voices are included in the process as possible

• Make recommendations to ensure mental health systems are youth centered

• Invited to engage in opportunities for personal and professional development through coaching, training, job shadowing, and hands-on experiences

• Public Speaking & Advocacy opportunities to share findings with decision makers

Key Qualities

While each Fellow will bring their own background, beliefs, and experiences to share, Fellows should possess these key qualities:

• Interest in creating a healthier community for young people

• Belief in promoting protective factors that drive youth well-being

• Flexible schedule that allows for regular participation in meetings and events

• Willingness to engage in courageous conversations around mental health, stigma, historical inequities

• Ability to engage peers and community members

• Desire to work collaboratively with other Fellows

Opportunities for Training and Skill Development

Fellows will receive training to develop their skills and equip them with the knowledge to aid their efforts in developing the strategy, including:

• Community Building

• Understanding Leadership Styles

• Identifying Strengths

• Project Planning/Event Planning

• Conflict Management/ Giving & Receiving Feedback

• Effective Communication/Public Speaking

• Asset-Based Community Engagement/Asset Mapping

• Grounding in Community Research Practices: Youth-Led Programs and Youth Participatory Action Research

Timeline

October 21: Application Opens
October 28: Virtual Info Session
November 10: Application Deadline
November 13-24: Interviews
November 26: Notification
December 2: Orientation (Virtual)
December 9: Fellows Launch