Texas Emerging Leaders Board Member Application 2026

The Texas Emerging Leaders Board (TELB) is a 12-month, paid leadership program for 15 young adults (ages 18-26) who have experienced disconnection from school or work. This opportunity is tailored for graduates of youth leadership programs like the TNOYS’ Young Adult Leadership Council, AmeriCorps, Young Invincibles’ Young Advocates Program, Housing Youth Advisory Boards, and similar initiatives. TELB members play a vital role in shaping youth services across Texas, each serving as a regional liaison to their local Peer Learning Network, contributing their lived experience and training as consultants to create pathways for Opportunity Youth to re-engage with school or work. As the first of its kind in the nation, the TELB uniquely empowers Opportunity Youth and Young Adults (OYYA) by ensuring their voices are heard and valued in local organizations and throughout the state.

The goals of the Texas Emerging Leaders Board are to:

1. Identify and work with a selection of Opportunity Youth and Young Adults (OYYA) from Texas communities to support further development of their leadership, communication, community engagement, and advocacy skills;

2. Integrate OYYA voice into statewide network, community planning, and program design; and

3. Work with state and national youth voice integration leaders to capitalize on their expertise and coordinate with already existing state councils and initiatives.

We can accept those outside of these communities on a case by case basis.

Eligibility:

Have lived experiences in systems, such as: disconnection from school or work, child welfare/foster care, juvenile justice system involvement, homelessness, etc.
Previous involvement in a youth leadership program or equivalent experience.

Commitment:

This opportunity requires a 12 month commitment.
Members meet twice per month for up to 4 hours in a virtual meeting on a determined bi-weekly basis.
Members complete 8 to 13 additional hours per month to liaise with and advise designated Peer Learning Network community, TOYN Leadership Council, and other Boards and participate in systems change/advocacy activities.

Benefits:

Work for up to a minimum of 10 hours and a maximum of 15 hours a month, earning $20 an hour.
Participate in national Opportunity Youth Forum Communities activities.
Gain experience in the following areas and more: public speaking, advocacy, youth-led training, leadership development, and professional development.
Gain real world job experience and be trained on professional skills that you can use to put on your resume.
Collaborate with executive staff and key decision-makers at TOYN, TNOYS and other agencies.
Increase your leadership, collaboration and communication skills.
Build your network with other peer leaders across Texas who are equally passionate about systems issues.

For additional information, please email youthengagement@tnoys.org.