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.
Kickoff 2021
The 2021 Class of the Young Ambassadors Board took place October 6, 2020, at the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center in Gurnee. Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim spoke with 33 students who either appeared in person or over ZOOM. The speech focused on the role the Lake County State's Attorney's Office plays, as well as factors to becoming leaders for themselves, their peers and their community. Members will work on three major projects throughout the year; the Mock Trial, Children's Advocacy Center fundraising, and helping members of the community.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the group was masked, socially distanced, and were screened for COVID prior to the meeting taking place. Masks and hand sanitizer were offered to students in attendance upon their arrival.