The last few weeks have been a whirlwind and a great one at that. Kadyja, our Assistant Director, and Ariel, our Director, just started their full time positions with the Youth Success Project. Previously they were balancing the responsibilities of their roles with other full-time jobs and school. We are excited to have their enthusiasm and heart in shaping this organization and moving us toward our goal of becoming our own non-profit.
The YSP is currently in the process of selecting four Youth Leaders, two in Manchester and two in the Balance of State, to take on a more involved role in the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project (YHDP) grant. These leaders will work with Directors to represent YSP in community meetings and play an important role in growing and developing our group as an organization.
We describe our project structure as a reverse pyramid with the Directors at the bottom followed by the Youth Leaders and, at the top, the General Membership. The Directors are here to hold the group up by taking care of administrative responsibilities, advocating for youth voice, and identifying opportunities for youth involvement and voice. General membership is where collective brainstorming and group decision making happens and where the most power is held. Leaders and Directors partner to carry these decisions out.