Boys & Girls Clubs of America Announces New National Youth Advisory Council Cohort
ATLANTA, GA, October 7, 2026 – Boys & Girls Clubs of America today announced the new cohort of its National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC), a group of young leaders who will provide valuable insight and perspectives and help shape programs and services for young people at Boys & Girls Clubs across the country.
Following the council’s inaugural year, the 2026-27 cohort brings together 12 teens from Boys & Girls Clubs and BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations across the country and around the world. Members, ages 15 to 17, will work alongside Boys & Girls Clubs of America staff throughout the school year, sharing their experiences and ideas to help ensure the organization’s national work reflects the needs, interests and priorities of today’s young people.
“The first year of the National Youth Advisory Council demonstrated the value of creating meaningful opportunities for young people to help shape the work that directly impacts them,” said Jennifer Bateman, senior vice president of Youth Development at Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “We’re excited to welcome this next class of thoughtful, engaged leaders and continue building a culture where young people’s ideas are not only heard, but help inform how we serve millions of Club kids.”
Throughout their term, council members will offer feedback on issues affecting young people and help bring the perspectives of their peers to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America national office. Through their participation, members will also have opportunities to strengthen leadership and professional skills, learn about research and advocacy, and engage with other youth leaders from across the Boys & Girls Clubs landscape.
The 2026-27 National Youth Advisory Council includes young people representing a diverse range of Club communities, including traditional Clubs and Youth Centers serving military families. Council members were selected based on demonstrated leadership, service and accountability within their Clubs, as well as their ability to bring unique perspectives and experiences to the council.
This year’s National Youth Advisory Council will serve from September 2026 through May 2027:
- Aaliyah B. – Vogelweh Youth Program (Germany)
- Alejandra S.-F. – Boys & Girls Club of Milford (Connecticut)
- Avaley M. – USAG Fort Campbell CYS Services (Kentucky)
- Chandler S. – Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston (Massachusetts)
- Faizan S. – Wakeman Boys & Girls Club (Connecticut)
- Jakeclaude M. – Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County (Florida)
- Jessica A. – Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley (California)
- Kymani S. – Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County (Washington)
- Leah U. – Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay (Georgia)
- Malcolm A.-J. – Boys & Girls Club of Manhattan (Kansas)
- Paula G. – Boys & Girls Club of McAllen (Texas)
- Sophia F. – Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue (Washington)
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Nearly 5,500 Clubs serve more than 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. The national headquarters is located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and LinkedIn.
