Youth
Advisory
Council
You have a voice and we care! Help the Indiana Center for Prevention understand the challenges high school students face related to digital safety, youth suicide, & sexual violence.
The ICPYAS Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is a peer-led group of teens working to prevent sexual violence, suicide, and digital victimization through project-based advocacy, education, and community engagement.
Council Goals:
Provide avenues to amplify youth voices and lived experiences in the fields of sexual violence prevention, suicide prevention, and digital safety.
Provide ongoing opportunities for youth leadership development.
Improve the effectiveness and relevance of programming for and about youth by incorporating the unique perspective and ideas of youth.
Our members have accomplished amazing things, like creating and selling shirts to support our work and even speaking at the Statehouse.
Here’s a glimpse at the kinds of projects we take on together.
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Work on ideas that support the ICPYAS mission, by amplifying youth voices/lived experiences and building leadership skills through meaningful action.
Past projects include creating social media content and digital resources to spread awareness and support safety around suicide, sexual violence, and digital victimization.
Currently, members are working to organize a community art exhibition that amplifies youth voices and challenges the silence around mental health, inviting honest expression and open reflection.
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Meet and socialize with peers from across Central Indiana, build friendships, and connect over shared interests and a common passion for making a difference.
Outside of project work, the council builds community through team-building, social events, and fun outings.
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Help support the Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse and Suicide by brainstorming and organizing fundraisers throughout the year.
The council has been selling shirts that they designed to raise funds for ICPYAS programs.
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Help keep teens and children safe by sharing resources about preventing youth abuse and suicide and talking about ICPYAS programs (including YAC).
If you were at Youth Day at the Statehouse or the Youth Mental Health event at OrthoIndy YMCA, you might have seen us there!
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Support local causes while sharing our mission with the community, building connection within the council, and promoting a sense of meaningful purpose within individuals.
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Help make ICPYAS programs more practical and relevant by sharing insights that strengthen how our programs connect with and impact teens.
Already, our council has helped improve our programs and even inspired a new program supporting parent-teen conversations.
Member Testimonials
"The council has not only allowed me to make an impact but it has also significantly contributed to my confidence."
"I have enjoyed the opportunities that have been provided to me to advocate for youth issues."
"The council has not only allowed me to make an impact but it has also significantly contributed to my confidence." "I have enjoyed the opportunities that have been provided to me to advocate for youth issues."
“I like the leadership opportunities that are provided and being able to connect and share our experiences with other people.”
“The best thing about the council is that it's a small group dedicated to bringing about meaningful change.”
“I like the leadership opportunities that are provided and being able to connect and share our experiences with other people.” “The best thing about the council is that it's a small group dedicated to bringing about meaningful change.”
“Being on the council has strengthened my ability to bring about change by confidently sharing my own ideas.”
"The council has not only allowed me to make an impact but it has also significantly contributed to my confidence."
“Being on the council has strengthened my ability to bring about change by confidently sharing my own ideas.” "The council has not only allowed me to make an impact but it has also significantly contributed to my confidence."
Ready to start your journey with the Youth Advisory Council?
Fill out a quick interest form to get started!
Frequently Asked Questions
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It’s easy!
Just fill out and submit the Interest Form.
After that, you’ll get an email from levi@indianaprevention.org (it may take over a week—be sure to check your spam folder) with more information about the council, including an orientation video and a link to the registration form.
Once you complete the registration form, we’ll send a consent form to your parent or guardian.
As soon as we receive the consent form, you’re officially part of the council and can start participating.
We’re not selective—we welcome every high school student who signs up!
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If you’ve ever been frustrated by the challenges teens face or felt like adults don’t always listen, the Youth Advisory Council is your chance to change that. Here, your voice matters—you can shape programs, spark new ideas, and make a real impact on the lives of your peers.
Along the way, you’ll…
Build leadership skills that stand out on college, scholarship, and job applications.
Create projects that you can showcase in your portfolio.
Earn volunteer hours to meet school or club requirements.
Connect with other teens who share your passion for making a difference.
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Being part of the Youth Advisory Council means joining a peer‑led group of teens who care about making a difference. We meet once a month to check in with each other, share updates, and make sure everyone knows about current opportunities—like projects, committees, or leadership roles—that move our council toward achieving its goals.
Outside of those monthly meetings, members who want to get more involved can jump into smaller group meetings, help with projects, plan events, or take on tasks that support the council. How much you do is up to you—you get to decide what being a member looks like for you.
The more you choose to be involved, the more you’ll benefit!
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We meet once a month for a one‑hour meeting (usually Sundays from 1:30–2:30 PM) where the whole council gathers to check in, share updates, and make sure everyone knows about current opportunities—like projects, committees, or leadership roles—that move our goals forward. You can join in person at our Carmel office or virtually on Zoom, whichever works best for you.
Each month’s meeting date is chosen by the council based on everyone’s availability. And, between meetings, there are plenty of chances to collaborate on projects—or even create your own with our support!
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The Youth Advisory Council is shaped by its members. ICPYAS staff might offer opportunities, structure, and support, but it’s up to the council to decide what to take on and how to do it. When members have ideas for projects, they can present them to the council, build support, and recruit teammates. The council works best when members take initiative and bring their own ideas to life—what the council does is ultimately driven by you.
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We welcome all high school students—no matter your grade level or whether you attend public school, private school, or homeschool. If you’re in the state of Indiana and you’re interested in getting involved, you’re invited to join us!
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No! We welcome all high school students in Indiana, no matter where you live.
Just keep in mind that your participation in the council will depend on your ability to meet in-person at our Carmel office or remotely (via Zoom) and collaborate between meetings using GroupMe and email—so think about whether these options will work for you.
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Nope! It’s completely free to be part of the Youth Advisory Council. Our work is funded through grants and the fundraising efforts of the council itself, so there’s no cost for you to join or participate.
Resources
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There are many adults that care about you and would do anything to help keep you safe and healthy. If you are struggling with mental health, abuse, or online safety, tell an adult who you know will listen and help.
988 offers 24/7 judgment-free support for mental health (including suicide), substance use, and more.
People can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
Love is Respect is the national resource to disrupt and prevent unhealthy relationships and intimate partner violence by empowering young people through inclusive and equitable education, support, and resources.
Call 1.866.331.9474, text LOVEIS to 22522, or chat online at loveisrespect.org.
The CyberTipline is a safe, confidential way to report online exploitation—like sextortion, inappropriate contact, or sharing of child sexual abuse material— to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
If you or someone you know encounters online exploitation, report the incident by visiting report.cybertip.org or calling 1.800.THE.LOST.
Take It Down is a free service provided by the National center for Missing and Exploited Children, to help remove online nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit photos and videos taken before you were 18. You can remain anonymous while using the service and you won’t have to send your images or videos to anyone.
Visit takeitdown.ncmec.org.
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Coming soon!
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Members that want to dig deeper into causes they care about and build leadership and creative skills are encouraged to lead their own projects. It can be big or small, simple or ambitious. What matters most is that it connects to the mission of preventing abuse, saving lives, and empowering others — and that it matters to you.
Example Projects:
Advocacy Campaigns: Stand up for something you care about and help others understand why it matters
Digital Resources: Create youth-friendly guides or workshops
Youth-Led Podcasts or Video Series
Event Planning: Plan an event or youth panel
Youth-led peer-to-peer fundraiser
Creative Storytelling: Zines, art, writing, or film on lived experiences or prevention
Got your own idea? Even better. We’re here to help you bring it to life!
Get started by developing your project proposal:
Consider Your Approach: Think about whether you want to work on your project alone or collaborate with others. Also, consider how much time you want to dedicate to your project each week.
Complete the Project Planning Tool: Fill out the Project Planning Tool to help clarify your idea and organize your thoughts. This will guide your planning process.
Schedule a Meeting: Once you’ve completed the tool, schedule a meeting with ICPYAS staff to discuss your proposal and get feedback.
Once these steps are done, we’ll be ready to move forward and start bringing your project to life!
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Have an idea for what the council should do next? Want to share something you think we could do differently—or something you’ve really enjoyed?
If you don’t want to share feedback or ideas in meetings or in the GroupMe chat, the Feedback & Ideas Form is a place for YAC members to share feedback and ideas anonymously.
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If you have any questions about the council or need help with joining or getting involved, please email levi@indianaprevention.org.
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Coming soon!
This Council Agreement outlines the expectations and responsibilities of council members and ICPYAS staff. These expectations and responsibilities were developed and agreed upon by members of the council. We will periodically revisit and revise the Council Agreement as needed.