The #LookForward Youth Advocacy Council program supports teens, aged 13-18 years old (8th-12th grades), and is open to all regardless of gender identity. You must be between the ages of 13 and 18 at the time of your cohort acceptance.

While optional, parent and caregiver engagement is highly encouraged for this program to support your success.

Applications will be open from December 10, 2024 to February 7, 2025.

You can expect to hear from our team by mid-February with next steps.

Spring session starts the week of March 3, 2025 and concludes the week of April 21, 2024.

Applicants will be notified directly through email of their status by mid-February.

Teens can apply through our online application. Upon acceptance, parental consent forms are required to participate.

There is no cost to apply or participate in the program. Our program seeks to power positive ripples of change by investing in mental health advocacy with the next generation of leaders.

Yes, your application does guarantee a cohort placement in the program as long as you meet the age requirement!

But here's the important part — in order to receive your Certificate of Completion or Letter of Recommendation, and be eligible for the $500 project stipend, you must complete all weekly Project Kit assignments.

We understand that life can get busy, so if you encounter any scheduling conflicts or challenges along the way, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to support you on your leadership path, and we'll do our best to accommodate your needs as long as our program is still running.

This program is 100% virtual, with both live sessions and on-demand session recordings available to you.

As a participant in our program, you will receive comprehensive support to help you grow and excel in your leadership development and mental health literacy. This includes:

Mentorship & Peer Community: Our program offers mentorship from experts in the fields of mental health, education, and leadership. You will have the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals who can provide guidance, share insights, and help you navigate your personal and professional development, while building community with your peers through sharing ideas.

Project Kits: You will receive weekly video tutorials and handout assignments designed to guide you step-by-step through the development of essential leadership and advocacy skills. These kits provide valuable reflection prompts and exercises to foster your skills in listening, communicating, processing information, and putting your ideas into action effectively. Assignment submissions are done via Google Form. Parents are also encouraged to engage with their teens with each Project Kit.

Our program is designed to accommodate your busy life while providing valuable resources, mentorship, and learning opportunities. We understand that youth and their parents have various commitments, and we aim to make participation in the program as accessible and manageable as possible.

The time commitment is designed to be flexible and accommodating to your schedules while ensuring a meaningful learning experience. Here's an overview of the time expectations:

Week 1 (~2 hours): We will host an interactive 1-hour live virtual session to introduce the program and offer an opportunity to engage with mentors and fellow participants. You will also receive a handout assignment, which we anticipate will take ~1 hour to complete and submit via Google Form. A recording will be available if you can’t make it to the live session.

Weeks 2 to 7 (~2 hours): Each week, a new Project Kit will be released to you consisting of (1) a recorded 30-minute video tutorial and (2) an assignment with reflection exercises and helpful tips to turn your ideas into action. While you can work at your own pace, you can expect to spend approximately 2 hours each week on program-related activities and assignments between weeks 2 to 7. The flexibility allows you to fit your learning into your schedule. You will also have access to a private Slack channel to collaborate or ask for support from your peers, advisors, and mentors.

Week 8 (~1 hour): We will conclude the program with a 1-hour live virtual gathering to celebrate and cheer on peers whose advocacy projects have been selected for the $500 project stipends.

While parental or guardian consent is required for youth participation, active involvement is optional. We highly encourage parents or guardians to join the transformative journey with their youth and participate in our Look Forward Community Program & workshop series, but it is not mandatory. Your youth can fully engage in and benefit from the program independently, without parental involvement.

We are dedicated to making our program accessible to all young leaders, irrespective of their family circumstances. So, whether you as a parent choose active participation or simply grant consent, we're excited to have you and your youth in our community!

We understand that unexpected circumstances may arise during your participation in the program. Here's how we will handle such situations —

Access to Recorded Mentor Sessions and Project Kits: All materials, recordings, and Project Kits will be made available to all participants through a dedicated Google Drive that is accessible anytime. This ensures that you can catch up on missed material and stay engaged with the program's content at your own pace.

Program Continuation: If, for any reason, you cannot continue the program during your current cohort, you are welcome to rejoin a future cohort (if it is available). We want to ensure that you have the opportunity to complete the program and make the most of your experience.

Certificate of Completion: To receive a Certificate of Completion for the program, you must submit the required weekly Project Kit assignments. This allows us to assess your understanding and progress throughout the program. Completing the assignments is a key requirement for receiving your certificate.

Stipend Eligibility: If you are interested in being eligible for the $500 stipend, you must not only submit the accompanying Project Kits by the designated due dates, but also present your work. The 10-minute presentation serves as an opportunity to showcase your learning and contributions to the program.

We strive to be flexible and supportive to accommodate participants' needs and ensure that everyone has the chance to benefit from the program's resources and opportunities for growth. If you ever have questions or need assistance regarding your participation, please feel free to reach out to our program coordinators at hello@seekher.org for guidance and support.

To receive your volunteer hours, a certificate of completion, and a letter of recommendation from our youth leadership program, you will need to complete the following steps:

Participation: Actively participate in the program by attending the live sessions and watching the program sessions as outlined in the program schedule.

Project Kit Assignments: Work on and complete the assignments within each of your weekly Project Kits. These assignments are designed to help you apply the knowledge and skills gained.

Submission: Submit your completed project kit assignments by the specified deadlines in each week’s Project Kit. There will be a space for you to log your volunteer hours for the time spent learning, ideating, and creating for your project. Timely submission is crucial to ensure that your work can be reviewed and assessed.

Once you have completed and submitted all of your Project Kit assignments, you will be eligible to receive both a certificate of completion that indicates your community service hours and a letter of recommendation. These documents serve as recognition of your dedication and commitment to the program and can be valuable assets as you continue your educational and leadership journey.

To qualify for the $500 project stipends, please follow these steps:

Complete and Submit Project Kit Assignments: First and foremost, you must complete and submit all the assignments within your weekly Project Kits via Google Form. These assignments are designed to help you reflect and apply what you've learned during the program.

Selection Process: You have the option to apply to present your advocacy project during Week 6’s Project Kit assignment. The program organizers will review the proposed projects, and select up to four participants who have both completed and submitted all of their Project Kit assignments up to that point. These selected participants will be eligible to receive up to $500 stipend to help you activate your advocacy project.

Present Your Project: Upon selection, you will present your advocacy project to the program participants and mentors during Week 8’s live session. This presentation provides you with the opportunity to showcase your work, share your insights, and demonstrate your leadership skills.

Receiving Your Stipend: Upon program completion, you will be asked to complete a W-9 form to receive the project stipend. The stipend will be provided to you as a mailed check payment.

Please note that the stipend is a recognition of your dedication, effort, and the quality of your project. It is meant to support your further educational or leadership endeavors. We encourage all eligible participants to take advantage of this opportunity to be awarded this stipend as a token of appreciation for your hard work and commitment to the program.

SeekHer is offering one 8-week cohort in 2024. We plan to continue the program beyond 2024; please check back on our website for the latest updates.