YAB Makes a Difference

September 16, 2019

HEMI Celebrates the Youth Advisory Board!

The Youth Advisory Board for Hamilton County is composed of current and former foster youth and other adult supporters. They discuss various issues within the foster care system and seek ways to support foster youth to advance advocacy and new policies. They have been working hard and having fun all summer to plan and execute several events for our community.

YAB Moving Forward Ceremony

YAB kicked off the summer with our annual Moving Forward Ceremony celebrating our recent high school and college graduates! We celebrated on the River Queen at BB Riverboats on the Ohio River. Our graduates received certificates and gifts to celebrate their educational accomplishments.

Recent graduates and YAB participants pose for a group picture on the riverboat.

Summer Kick-Off at Kings Island

HEMI and YAB came together in June for our annual trip to Kings Island! Students enjoyed a day of thrills and fun to kick off a great summer.

YAB and HEMI program specialists start their fun-packed day at Kings Island.

YAB Quarterly Meeting & COSI Trip

In July, Hamilton County YAB also attended YAB’s Ohio quarterly meeting and elections in Columbus, Ohio. Afterwards, they headed downtown to COSI, the Center of Science and Industry, for a day of learning and fun. They also enjoyed lunch and their four-hour commute!

YAB Hamilton County group together outside of COSI, the Center for Science and Industy, in Columbus, OH.

Philanthropy Project @Parky’s Farm

In July, YAB put on their annual philanthropy event. They wanted to give back to foster homes and group homes by planning a field day at Parky’s Farm! Food, face painting, service dogs, and much more were enjoyed by guests.

YAB volunteers helped foster youth in Hamilton County.

Back 2 School Bash

YAB and HEMI partnered together for our annual Back 2 School Bash and provided foster youth with a book-bag and school supplies to start the school year off right. There were also several motivational speakers to get our students back in the mindset needed for success this year.

Speaker Joshua Dennis from Jobs and Family Services speaking to our youth about staying motivated in college.

YAB started the school year off right with a goal-setting workshop to allow participants to think about their futures and what they would like to accomplish this fall and spring.

YAB challenges you to get involved! If any mentor and/or mentee would like to become involved with all of the amazing things YAB accomplishes every month, please contact Keith Shoemaker at shomakg@ucmail.uc.edu. They meet 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month at Peoples Church.

Isabel Slonneger is a student worker at the Higher Education Mentoring Initiative (HEMI). She is also a sophomore at the University of Cincinnati, double majoring in International Affairs and Environmental Studies.