Youth Action Council
The Polk County Youth Action Council (YAC) is a group of young leaders with lived experience in homelessness. YAC meets regularly to take action to improve housing services in Polk County.
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Our work includes:
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Youth Homelessness Program and System Improvement,
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Advocacy and Outreach through Public Speaking Opportunities,
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Volunteer Service Projects geared towards Youth and Families experiencing Homelessness,
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Skill Building through Creative Projects, and
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Building Connections among Youth experiencing Homelessness, Providers, and Services.
YAC members present at the Prevent Child Abuse Iowa Conference
Cool activities we've done (so far):
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Participate in the Legislative Day on the Hill
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Present to Cornell University students
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Present at the Iowa Prevent Child Abuse Conference
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Present at the City of Des Moines Human Rights Symposium
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Serve as a Youth Homelessness advisory group
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Create and Distribute Youth Homeless Kits
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Present to Grand View University students
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Complete a collaborative service project with Indian Hills Junior High School
Youth Action Council meetings are a safe haven for all youth and free from discrimination. General YAC meetings are held monthly. Please contact Amy Croll with your name to learn when the Council meets.
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Individuals interested in YAC Leadership must complete and submit the attached application. Leadership meetings are held separately from general YAC meetings.
YAC Budget
YAC operates with a meager budget designed to provide financial compensation to young people who inform local services and supports in the metro.
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Group Norms
Interested in joining YAC? Take a look at our Group Norms first!
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Respect each other and the group
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Participate and pay attention
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Focus on task; side conversations need to be taken outside and no phones allowed.
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Be on time
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Everyone sits at the table.
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Assume Positive Intent
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Conversations are confidential and should remain free of politics, religion, and gender.
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Respect boundaries
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YAC is a safe space free of drug use and weapons.
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For the safety of everyone, all attendees are expected to follow these simple rules.
“YAC gave me the opportunity to tell my story and have people listen and relate.”
- current YAC member
QR Code for Donations
If you would like to help support YAC activities, please utilize our QR code below.
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Donation help support expenses like transportation costs, service project costs, and supply expenses.
“YAC makes me feel seen and heard.”
- current YAC member
YAC FAQs
Click the YAC FAQ for commonly asked questions. Coming Soon!!
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““YAC empowers youth for a better tomorrow.”
- current YAC member
YAC Meeting Minutes
For safety reasons, this information is left vague, but is designed to give a general idea of the work that is done through YAC.
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February 2024 (General)
March 2024 (Leadership)
March 2024 (General)
April 2024 (Leadership)
April 2024 (General)
May 2024
June 2024
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For more information or to obtain the Teams log-in to attend virtually, please contact Amy Croll.
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The Polk County Youth Action Council is supported by Homeward, but is its own separate decision-making entity, managed by its own leadership group.
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