A newly established organization in Lorain County is seeking young leaders.
YouthMOVE Ohio is a joint program between National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Ohio and NAMI Lorain County, and is funded by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OMHAS) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The organization is recruiting people to be appointed as leaders on a youth council.
The council is open to those ages 12 to 30.
Lorain activist Kyriece Brooks, who is the Northern Ohio Youth Regional leader for YouthMOVE Ohio and youth coordinator for NAMI Lorain County, will serve as the overseer of the council.
Brooks said his position for the council not only builds support for northern Ohio youth, but provides outreach to Lorain County and beyond.
“I work with 11 counties in northern Ohio, and my job is to educate and empower the youth,” he said. “We’re breaking the stigma off of mental health and giving them a voice in the mental health field.”
YouthMOVE hopes to improve services and systems that support growth and development as well as raise awareness around youth issues, said Brooks, who added he is especially excited to get Lorain County youth involved.
“I really want the youth from Lorain County to get involved, but the council will consist of young people from all over,” he said.
Brooks said the council will work with community leaders to advocate for youth rights.
“Oftentimes, youth are shut out, and either aren’t truly heard, or spoken over,” he said. “But, I believe the youth have so much wisdom and knowledge in them that deserves to have a platform.
“We want to attend the council meetings and other hearings so people know we’re here and be able to communicate what we need to thrive.”
As of right now, the council will meet virtually, Brooks said.
“Due to everything going on with COVID, we will meet through Zoom,” he said. “But, we hope to have in-person meetings soon.”
The council will be a safe space for those involved, Brooks said.
“I want to give them the opportunity to speak up about mental health challenges or assault they may have experienced,” he said. “Too often, we are not given a safe place to freely express ourselves.
“But they will be able to vent and then strategize for change.”
For more information or to join the council, contact Brooks at kbrooks@youthmoveohio.com.
