‘I’m really excited to go’: Alliston teen, youth advocacy board rep for D.A.R.E. International, heading to conference in South Africa
Alliston's Leora Harwood, 15, will be attending the Global Alcohol Policy Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, in October as a representative of the youth advocacy board for D.A.R.E. International. Retired OPP Const. Shawn Evans (left) runs the D.A.R.E....
Mission Statement
To serve as D.A.R.E.’s student advocates and ambassadors, thereby providing insight, voice, and advocacy for D.A.R.E. education programs.
About Youth Advocacy Board
The Youth Advocacy Board (YAB), initiated by D.A.R.E. America in 2000 is composed of 50 members, one student per State in the United States. Students are selected through a state-wide search. International students are also eligible to serve.
The YAB gives D.A.R.E. graduates an opportunity to speak to issues impacting the national and worldwide D.A.R.E. program and to advise D.A.R.E. America and local D.A.R.E. programs, government and community leaders on drug and violence prevention strategies beneficial to our youth.
Members of the YAB are eligible for the D.A.R.E. America Scholarship upon their graduation from high school.
Youth Advocacy Board Members
Mission
“To serve as D.A.R.E.’s student advisor and ambassador providing insight, voice, and advocacy for D.A.R.E. education programs.”
Why Serve
Benefits:
- Provide skill development
- Opportunity to provide input/advise D.A.R.E.
- Involved in community events
- Participate in D.A.R.E. related projects
- Ambassador and advocate to D.A.R.E. America and their community
- Network w/YAB high school students from around the world
- Apply for D.A.R.E. National Award Scholarship $20,000
- Participate in annual D.A.R.E. International Training Conference
How to become a YAB Representative
Fill out the YAB Application.
Provide a recommendation/nomination letter from any of the following:
- D.A.R.E. officer
- School official (teacher, principle, etc)
- D.A.R.E. officer association
- State training administrator
Application will be submitted to D.A.R.E. America Youth Advocacy Board Coordinator, Jacqueline Ho at [email protected].
Pledge or Oath
Must pledge:
We will work independently, and as a united body, to help others resist the pressure to become involved in drugs, violence, and to lead safe and healthy lives. We will always remain true to our pledge to be positive role models through our personal commitment to a drug and violence free life.
We will be committed advocates within our states and communities as we interact with others to promote awareness of, participation in, and involvement with the D.A.R.E. Program. We will always remember that we represent millions of young people from across the country who also strives to remain drug and violence free, and we will always speak out to champion the values that D.A.R.E. America represents.
Term of appointment
Term begins freshman or sophomore year until their senior year: 2-4 years
Projects
Project subject are determined each year by D.A.R.E.’s CEO. In general, YAB projects assist YAB members individually and D.A.R.E. America collectively to market and advocate D.A.R.E. education programs. For example, in 2016, YAB members were asked to review the new D.A.R.E. high school curriculum and, after receiving relevant training, create a promotional PSA video.
Scholarship
About the scholarship:
The D.A.R.E. America National Scholarship is for $20,000 and is awarded annually to a qualified graduating YAB senior high school student to attend the university or college of their choice. Notification of the Scholarship is usually sent out in January and deadline to apply is in March . . .
YAB Alumna Julia Manning Sworn In As First Female Officer With The Park Ridge Police Department
On the evening of July 11, 2023, New Jersey Youth Advocacy Board alumna Julia Manning was sworn in as the first female police officer in Park Ridge, New Jersey. Julia was the recipient of the 2019 D.A.R.E. America Louis ‘Skip’ Miller National Scholarship Award. During...
D.A.R.E. America Louis “Skip” Miller National Scholarship Award 2023
The D.A.R.E. America Board of Directors is pleased to offer a $20,000 scholarship to recognize academic excellence and reward students who remain true to the goals of the D.A.R.E. program. This scholarship is awarded annually to a qualified 12th grade student to...
Thank you, D.A.R.E. Officers!
Julia Manning, D.A.R.E. America’s 2019 Louis “Skip” Miller National Scholarship Recipient
Each year, D.A.R.E. America awards one member of its Youth Advocacy Board a $20,000 college scholarship. New Jersey’s Julia Manning was named the recipient of the 2019 D.A.R.E. America Louis ‘Skip’ Miller National Scholarship Award…