Youth & Young Adult Activism

We create space for youth & young adults to come together to improve our community.

Choose a program:



Shout Out!

What We Do

Make new friends. Build skills. Work together. Learn together. Make change! Shout Out! is for youth who want to work together to improve our community.

We meet virtually on Zoom during the school year.

We also have a Discord server to chat between meetings.

The group has two staff facilitators that guide the group. We explore what topics matter to us. After exploring interests, we pick a project topic to work on together.

You can build skills, go to trainings and become a peer leader. And you can get paid!

Eligibility for Shout Out!

Participants in Shout Out!…

  • are between 14-21 years old
  • live or go to school in:
    • Franklin County
    • Hampshire County
    • North Quabbin

Participants under 18 need parent/guardian permission to join

 

How Do I Get Involved?

Fill out our interest and enrollment form.

The form will give you a few options:

  • Get more information
  • Attend an information session
  • Meet with a staff member

What Kind of Projects Does Shout Out! Do?

Check out this video to see an impact of our work. Shout Out! youth made this to help teachers support students’ mental health in school.

 

Will I Get Paid?

Yes! You can get paid a stipend for participating in Shout Out!

I know a youth who might like Shout Out! How can I connect them?

Young people who would like to learn more about Shout Out!  can complete our interest and enrollment form – by themselves or with the help of a supportive adult.

Get Started Now!

CONTACT INFO FOR THE PROGRAM

For enrollment:

Rachel Bowles, Intake Worker

rbowles@communityaction.us

413-834-7993

 

For questions and collaborations:

Lydia Davis, Leadership Development Specialist

LDavis@communityaction.us

413-834-8768

 

Northampton Office:

155 Pleasant St, Northampton

Greenfield Office: 

154 Federal St, Greenfield

Forms, Documents & Downloads

IF YOU QUALIFY FOR THIS PROGRAM, YOU MAY ALSO QUALIFY FOR:

Youth Council

What We Do

Youth Council is a program that meets monthly to build community.

We usually meet on the first Monday of the month, from 4-6pm. Members can join via Zoom, or in person in Greenfield, and are paid for the meetings they attend.

Monthly meetings include playing games and discussing important issues.

The Youth Council also offers trainings on social justice issues and life skills. We sometimes have in-person events and field trips as well.

How Do I Get Involved?

Fill out our interest and enrollment form.

The form will give you a few options:

  • Get more information
  • Attend an information session
  • Meet with a staff member

If you are under 18, you need parent/guardian permission to join.

What sort of projects does youth Council Do? What issues do you talk about?

Youth Council members can help decide which issues the group works on. Past projects have focused on LGBTQIA+ rights, mental health, racial justice, food insecurity, and homelessness.

Some things we’ve done in the past include:

  • Training on how to do your taxes
  • Discussing current events
  • Field trip to Mike’s Corn Maze
  • Giving feedback to youth-serving organizations in our area

Eilgibility for Youth Council

You must be age 14-24 and live in Franklin or Hampshire County or the North Quabbin.

Will I get Paid?

Yes! You will earn money for each meeting or training you attend.

Youth Council members earn $30 for each monthly meeting. Additional paid trainings are typically offered each month. Members can be paid with direct deposit, checks, or e-gift cards.

I know someone who might like to be on Youth Council. How do I connect them?

Young people who would like to learn more about Youth Council can complete our interest and enrollment form – by themselves or with the help of a supportive adult.

Enroll Here!

CONTACT INFO FOR THE PROGRAM

For enrollment:

Rachel Bowles, Intake Worker

rbowles@communityaction.us

413-834-7993

 

For questions and collaborations:

Lydia Davis, Leadership Development Specialist

LDavis@communityaction.us

413-834-8768

 

Northampton Office:

155 Pleasant St, Northampton

Greenfield Office: 

154 Federal St, Greenfield

Forms, Documents & Downloads

Youth Council Flyer

IF YOU QUALIFY FOR THIS PROGRAM, YOU MAY ALSO QUALIFY FOR:

Youth Action Board

What We Do

YAB is a group that meets weekly to fight youth & young adult homelessness in our region.

We meet weekly on Zoom or Discord, with occasional in-person events. Members receive a monthly stipend for their work.

During YAB meetings, we work on youth-led projects and collaborate with housing providers.

 

If you have lived experience or stand in solidarity with ending youth homelessness, join us to make a difference!

Eligibility for YAB

Members must be age 14-24 and live in Franklin, Hampshire, or Berkshire County, or the North Quabbin.

Examples of YAB Projects

  • hosting meetings to connect people who work with youth
  • creating care packages for young adults who are exiting DCF services
  • giving feedback to housing providers

Where does YAB meet and how often?

YAB holds weekly meetings on Thursdays from 4-6pm. We usually meet virtually on Discord or Zoom, but we sometimes have in-person opportunities.

Will I get paid?

YAB members earn $30 for each weekly meeting. They can also earn more by attending extra optional meetings and trainings. Stipends are paid monthly, at the end of each month. Members can be paid with direct deposit, checks, or e-gift cards.

How do I get involved?

Fill out our interest and enrollment form.

The form will give you a few options:

  • Get more information
  • Attend an information session
  • Meet with a staff member

If you are under 18, you need parent/guardian permission to join.

I know a young person who might like YAB. How do I connect them?

Young people who would like to learn more about YAB can complete our interest and enrollment form – by themselves or with the help of a supportive adult.

ENROLL NOW!

CONTACT INFO FOR THE PROGRAM

For enrollment:

Rachel Bowles, Intake Worker

rbowles@communityaction.us

413-834-7993

 

For questions and collaborations:

Lydia Davis, Leadership Development Specialist

LDavis@communityaction.us

413-834-8768

 

Northampton Office:

155 Pleasant St, Northampton

Greenfield Office: 

154 Federal St, Greenfield

Forms, Documents & Downloads

YAB Flyer 2021

IF YOU QUALIFY FOR THIS PROGRAM, YOU MAY ALSO QUALIFY FOR:

GenQ

[image: the words "GEN Q" in purple next to a heart bearing the colorful stripes of the progress pride flag on a light green background]

[IMAGE: THE WORDS "GEN Q" IN PURPLE NEXT TO A HEART BEARING THE COLORFUL STRIPES OF THE PROGRESS PRIDE FLAG ON A LIGHT GREEN BACKGROUND]

What is GenQ?

In GenQ we create space for LGBTQIA+ youth/young adults to come together to support each other and create community.

What does GenQ do?

Generation Q is a peer-led social support group serving youth and young adults 14-24. We meet in both Greenfield and Northampton.

Group activities are decided and planned by participants and many groups are led by peer leaders within the program.

The last hour of group is reserved for participants 18+. Staff are available to provided 1:1 support and can help navigate systems like name changes and gender affirming care. GenQ meets in-person and hybrid and all particpants are welcome to join the GenQ Discord server.

How do I sign up?

Fill out our interest and enrollment form.

The form will give you a few options:

  • Get more information
  • Attend an information session
  • Meet with a staff member

If you are under 18, you need parent/guardian permission to join.

What can I expect from GenQ?

When you come to GenQ you can expect to find snacks, laughter, and connection with other LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults.

We meet up in-person and virtually in Greenfield and Northampton to learn together and from each other about queerness and community.

We talk about things ranging from gender affriming care, lgbtqia+ history, and our favorite lgbtqia+ cartoon characters to sexual education, and mental health. Youth/Young Adults can apply to become Peer Leaders where they will take on planning and leading groups for a small stipend.

GenQ sounds great. I know a young person who might want to join! How do I connect them?

Young people who would like to learn more about Gen Q can complete our interest and enrollment form – by themselves or with the help of a supportive adult.

Sign up for GenQ!

CONTACT INFO FOR THE PROGRAM

For enrollment:

Rachel Bowles, Intake Worker

rbowles@communityaction.us

413-834-7993

 

For questions and collaborations:

Dan Lionheart, LGBTQIA+ Coordinator

dlionheart@communityaction.us

413-768-4159

 

Northampton Office:

155 Pleasant St, Northampton

Greenfield Office: 

154 Federal St, Greenfield

Forms, Documents & Downloads