YOUNG PEOPLE. REAL RESPONSIBILITY.

Our Youth Team is an opportunity for middle and high school students to become community leaders through hands-on service, collaboration, and real-world impact. Throughout the year, our youth team works alongside adult volunteers to brainstorm and plan events, support local charities, and help shape the future of our organization.

As opposed to the typical youth leadership club, our Youth Team provides students a unique opportunity to take ownership of meaningful projects, develop leadership skills that can be used in the workplace and beyond, and make decisions that have a direct impact on our community.

Group of young people standing outdoors in a park with backpacks on the ground in front of them.
A woman and a girl are standing and talking inside an art gallery. The woman is wearing brown pants and a jacket, and the girl is wearing dark pants and white high-top sneakers. There is a framed art piece on the wall behind them.
A group of six people, four young girls and two women, standing behind a table at an outdoor event near a chain-link fence and a baseball field under a blue sky. The table has flyers and two containers of snacks. There is a banner in the background that reads 'Western MA' and 'WMD'.
A group of ten teenagers posing outdoors on a grassy lawn, with trees and a house in the background, under an overcast sky.
Group of four young girls and one woman standing in front of a cornfield with a scarecrow dressed as a pirate and a sign that reads 'Mike's Maze' on a sunny day.
Group of people wearing blue shirts, brown furry hats with black horns, colorful leis, and sunglasses, posing at a themed event with a patriotic background featuring American flags and Olympic rings.

We know that the most valuable lessons happen when youth are engaged in real, hands-on work that many students don’t encounter until college or the workplace.

Some of the responsibilities of our youth team include:

  • Planning our annual Charity All-Nighter

  • Volunteering at fundraising and community events

  • Interviewing nonprofit partners to learn about their missions

  • Presenting recommendations and thought processes to our Board of Directors

  • Representing Youth for Change during television and radio interviews

  • Practicing public speaking in front of peers at each all-nighter

  • Collaborating to solve real challenges and roadblocks during the planning process

Every opportunity is designed to build confidence, communication skills, teamwork, and leadership while making a positive difference in our community.

Hands-On, Real World Experience.

A young man holding a microphone and gesturing with his right hand while speaking at an indoor event.

Some of our youth team members stay involved after graduation, like Dominic Monti ‘23!

YEAR-ROUND LEADERSHIP

Even after our all-nighter wraps up, the work doesn’t stop. Our Youth Team meets approximately twice each month throughout the year, along with additional volunteer opportunities and special events. All Youth Team members assist at an additional two (or more) YFC events.

A major focus of the team’s work is planning our annual 25-hour Charity All-Nighter, where months of creativity, teamwork, and preparation come together to create an unforgettable environment that emphasizes the importance of giving back.

"All of the Youth Team was so welcoming, and I felt like a part of the group immediately. I have learned about collaborating with others, sharing ideas, and brainstorming when making decisions about the events." — Izabela Rutkowski

"Every single member does their best to make Youth for Change a warm and welcoming environment both among ourselves and our community. Raising money for charity doesn't just do good; it feels good." — Aaron Boyd

JOIN YOUTH TEAM
Three people standing in front of a forest background at a presentation. One person is speaking into a microphone, while the others listen. There are lanyards around their necks, and a table with colorful wrapped items in front of them.

Our youth team seniors present closing remarks during our all-nighter, too!

ALUMNI OPPORTUNITIES

After our youth team members graduate high school, they’re given the opportunity to stay involved with Youth for Change through a variety of means. Whether they want to help virtually from anywhere in the world or stay a local volunteer, we’re always happy to have alumni stay connected with our organization.

While our alumni base is small, it’s growing quickly as our youth team members graduate each year. Izabela Langford, Class of 2022, stays connected with YFC through volunteering at each annual charity all-nighter. Dominic Monti, Class of 2023, oversees the marketing for our organization. Andrew O’Sullivan, Class of 2024, helps as an MC at our all-nighters, as well. Justin Romanelli, Class of 2025, still meets with the youth team and offers support to our manager.

These alumni are living proof of our mission in action – youth growing up who believe it is important to continue giving back, long after their involvement with YFC first ended.


Read alumni stories
A group of people standing in line, wearing colorful clothing and leis, at a social event or party indoors, with a woman in a pink shirt and straw hat holding a spoon and a clipboard.

Andrew O’Sullivan, Class of 2024, left, volunteers as an MC at our all-nighter each year!