The Lake County State's Attorney's Office announced the creation of the Young Ambassador's Board in November of 2017 as a way to give middle and high school students a pathway to perform community service for the betterment of their communities
Inaugural membership into the program was offered to students between the ages of 13 and 17 throughout Lake County. Forty members of the Youth Ambassador's Board and their parents first gathered at the Lake County Courthouse and listened to featured speakers State's Attorney Michael G. Nerheim and Motivational Speaker Juan Ortiz. The mission of the Youth Ambassadors is to have a positive presence throughout their school and to volunteer in the community of Lake County.
Since the initial meeting, the Youth Ambassadors changed their name to the Young Ambassadors. They have met collectively to brainstorm about goals and initiatives for their peers and communities. They have also been instrumental voices in transforming the program into the success it is today. Members hold monthly board meetings to discuss goals and receive training in how to better empower themselves and gain knowledge on community resources. They also meet monthly for the Community Awareness Program (CAP) focusing on topics important to youth, such as cyber safety, teen dating violence, and anti-drug and alcohol prevention. CAP meeting are the members opportunity to actively work within the community or the membership to make a difference and rise as leaders.
Members of the Young Ambassadors Board are dedicated to serving and empowering their peers for the betterment of our community. These Ambassadors lead by example and work together throughout Lake County to raise awareness and to improve the well being and education of our youth.
The Young Ambassador Board is administered by State's Attorney employees Carrie Wings and Melissa Burke.
The Lake County State's Attorney's Office Youth Ambassadors Program encourages Lake County teens to participate in this program. Applications for this exciting program are available during the month of August at high schools for students interested in joining.
Young Ambassadors Anti-Bullying Prevention Month Campaign: “20 Days of Kindness”
Dylan C.'s 20 Days of Kindness quote:
"Aim for the moon, if you miss you may hit a star.” - W. Clement Stone
Armonie C.'s 20 Days of Kindness quote
Dylan C.'s 20 Days of Kindness Quote:
Mahatma Gandhi, "My life is my message."
Dylan C.'s 20 Days of Kindness quote:
"It is important to stand up to all forms of bullying, and it's even more important for those who are around you to be just as courageous and stand with you!" - Normani Kordei
20 Days of Kindness Quote:
Anti-Bullying Campaign
Victim Witness Coordinators: Left; Ediza Hernandez and right Carrie Wings
Students participate in the "Feed my Starving Children" program
Faith M. created mason jars filled with treats to recognize football players from the varsity, junior varsity, and freshman teams at her school. These were created to recognize the football players for being kind individuals in and off the football field.
Dylan C. at Feed My Starving Children
Zion Benton Township High School Bake Sale
Video: Arthur Jones speaks to YAB about the 'Handbook to Success'
Mr. Arthur Jones discusses leadership roles and opportunities within in the Lake County Community.