1. What Is the Youth Action Board and Why Does It Exist?

Before diving into what the Northeast Tennessee chapter does specifically, it helps to understand the broader YAAB mission — because the local chapter draws its power from being part of a statewide movement. YAAB is peer-led, youth-driven, and unapologetically centered on lived experience. That foundation shapes everything the Tri-Cities chapter does.

A Statewide Network Built on Lived Experience

The Youth Action Board of Tennessee — known as YAAB — is a statewide network of young adults ages 17 to 25 who have personally experienced homelessness or housing instability. YAAB isn’t a program that serves young people from the outside; it’s a movement led by young people who know what it’s like to sleep in a car, couch-surf, age out of foster care with nowhere to go, or navigate a shelter system that wasn’t built with them in mind.

Founded to give transition-age youth a real seat at the table, YAAB operates across Tennessee’s Continuum of Care (CoC) regions — the federally recognized planning bodies that coordinate homeless services in each area. Each local YAAB chapter advises its regional CoC, which means members directly influence how millions of dollars in housing resources are spent and how programs are designed.

Why Transition-Age Youth Need Their Own Voice

Young adults ages 18 to 25 make up roughly 25% of the homeless population in the United States, yet they are often overlooked in systems designed for either children or older adults. In Tennessee, youth aging out of foster care face a particularly sharp cliff: on their 18th birthday, many lose housing, healthcare, and support overnight. YAAB exists because the people closest to these problems are also closest to the solutions — and because policy made without youth input tends to miss the mark.

• Advocacy: YAAB members testify before state and local bodies, shaping legislation and CoC policy.
• Peer navigation: Members connect their peers to housing, jobs, education, and mental health services.
• Leadership development: YAAB provides training, stipends, and real-world experience that build careers.

2. Understanding the TN-509 Continuum of Care Region

To understand the local YAAB chapter, you need to understand the system it operates within. The TN-509 Continuum of Care is the regional framework that coordinates homeless services across Northeast Tennessee — and the YAAB chapter is a direct participant in shaping how that system works for young adults.

What Is a Continuum of Care?

A Continuum of Care (CoC) is a regional planning body recognized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that coordinates housing and homeless services across a defined geographic area. Each CoC applies for federal funding, sets local priorities, and holds service providers accountable. Tennessee has multiple CoC regions, each with its own number designation.

The TN-509 CoC covers Northeast Tennessee, including Sullivan County (Kingsport and Bristol), Washington County (Johnson City), Carter County, Unicoi County, and surrounding communities. This region is sometimes called the Tri-Cities area, though TN-509 encompasses a broader stretch of Appalachian Tennessee stretching toward the Virginia border.

The Scale of Youth Homelessness in Northeast Tennessee

Northeast Tennessee’s geography — a mix of small cities, rural hollows, and mountain communities — creates unique challenges for young adults experiencing homelessness. Resources are more spread out than in Memphis or Nashville, and transportation gaps make it harder to access services. The region’s annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count, conducted each January, documents the number of people experiencing homelessness on a single night, but advocates widely acknowledge that youth homelessness is significantly undercounted because many young people are hidden — staying with friends, in cars, or in motels rather than in shelters.

• Youth couch-surfing is the most common form of hidden homelessness in rural and small-city areas.
• LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately represented, accounting for up to 40% of homeless youth nationally.
• Youth aging out of Tennessee’s foster care system without stable housing face heightened risk in every region, including TN-509.

3. What the Northeast Tennessee YAAB Chapter Actually Does

The Northeast Tennessee YAAB chapter isn’t just a support group or a social club — it’s a functioning civic body with real responsibilities and real impact. Here’s a breakdown of the core work members do in the Tri-Cities region.

Advising the TN-509 CoC

The Northeast Tennessee YAAB chapter holds a formal advisory role within the TN-509 Continuum of Care. That means members attend CoC meetings, review funding applications from service providers, and give feedback on whether proposed programs actually reflect what young adults need. This isn’t symbolic participation — CoC governance requires meaningful youth involvement, and YAAB members are the recognized voice for transition-age youth in the region.

In practice, this looks like: reviewing a new shelter’s intake policy and flagging barriers that would turn away LGBTQ+ youth; recommending that a rapid rehousing program extend its eligibility age from 21 to 24; or pushing for trauma-informed training for staff at local agencies.

Peer-to-Peer Resource Connection

One of the most immediate things the Northeast TN YAAB does is connect young adults to resources — not as case managers, but as peers who’ve navigated the same systems. Members share knowledge about:

• Emergency shelter options in Kingsport, Bristol, and Johnson City
• Rapid rehousing programs that can move a young adult from shelter to their own apartment in weeks
• Employment programs like Tennessee’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) youth services
• Education pathways including GED programs at Northeast State Community College and adult education centers
• Mental health and substance use support through local community mental health centers

Because YAAB members have lived these experiences, they can speak to what actually works — and what doesn’t — in a way that a brochure never can.

Advocacy and Policy Work

Beyond the local CoC, Northeast Tennessee YAAB members participate in statewide advocacy efforts coordinated through the broader YAAB network. This includes traveling to Nashville to meet with state legislators, contributing to reports and data that inform Tennessee’s housing policy, and amplifying the voices of Tri-Cities youth on a statewide stage. Members have spoken at Tennessee’s Annual Homeless Summit and contributed to policy briefs that reach HUD officials in Washington, D.C.

This is real advocacy work — the kind that changes laws, shifts funding, and makes systems more humane for the next generation of young adults who walk through the door.

4. Who Can Join the Northeast Tennessee YAAB?

If you’re a young adult in Kingsport, Bristol, Johnson City, or anywhere in the broader TN-509 region, here’s what you need to know about whether YAAB is for you — and what joining actually looks like day to day.

Eligibility: The Basics

YAAB membership is open to young adults ages 17 to 25 who have lived experience of homelessness or housing instability. That definition is intentionally broad and includes:

• Staying in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program
• Couch-surfing or staying temporarily with friends or family because you have no other option
• Living in a motel, car, abandoned building, or other place not meant for human habitation
• Aging out of foster care or the juvenile justice system without stable housing
• Having experienced housing instability in the past, even if you’re currently housed

You do not need to be currently homeless to join. Many YAAB members are in stable housing now and use their past experience to advocate for others. What matters is that you have firsthand knowledge of what housing instability feels like — because that knowledge is exactly what the CoC needs to make better decisions.

What to Expect When You Join

Joining YAAB is not like signing up for a volunteer shift. It’s a commitment to showing up, learning, and using your voice — and in return, YAAB provides real support. Members typically receive:

• Stipends or honoraria for attending meetings and participating in advocacy activities
• Leadership training covering public speaking, policy literacy, and community organizing
• Connections to employment and education opportunities through YAAB’s partner network
• A peer community of young adults across Tennessee who get it
• A reference and resume experience that demonstrates civic leadership to future employers and schools

YAAB takes seriously that your time has value. The expectation is mutual respect — you bring your experience, YAAB brings structure, training, and support.

5. Key Resources for Young Adults in the Tri-Cities Region

Being part of YAAB means knowing what’s available — and being able to share that knowledge with peers. Here’s a snapshot of key resources for young adults across the Kingsport, Bristol, and Johnson City area. This is not an exhaustive list, and availability changes, so always verify directly with providers.

Housing and Shelter Options

Northeast Tennessee has a network of housing resources specifically for young adults, though availability can be limited and waitlists are common. Key options in the TN-509 region include:

• HOPE (Holston Habitat for Humanity and partner agencies): Rapid rehousing and rental assistance programs for youth in Sullivan and Washington counties
• Frontier Health: Provides crisis services and has connections to transitional housing for youth with mental health or substance use needs
• Johnson City Community Development: Administers HUD-funded housing programs including Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) that fund shelter and rapid rehousing
• Bristol Tennessee Essential Services (BTES) Community Programs: Local safety-net resources including utility assistance that can help stabilize housing

Always ask a YAAB member or case manager about the most current availability — programs change, and peer knowledge is often more up to date than any website.

Education and Employment Pathways

Stable housing and economic opportunity go hand in hand. In Northeast Tennessee, transition-age youth have access to several pathways:

• Northeast State Community College (NeSCC): Located in Blountville, NeSCC offers affordable two-year degrees, certificates, and workforce training. Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect can cover tuition for eligible students.
• Adult Education Centers: Free GED and HiSET preparation programs are available in Sullivan, Washington, and Carter counties through the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
• WIOA Youth Services: The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds job training, paid work experiences, and career counseling for young adults ages 16 to 24 who face barriers to employment. Contact the local American Job Center in Kingsport or Johnson City to apply.
• Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Elizabethton: Offers hands-on trade certifications in fields like welding, HVAC, and medical assisting — many completable in under a year.

Mental Health and Crisis Support

Housing instability and mental health are deeply connected. In Northeast Tennessee, several organizations provide mental health support that is accessible to young adults without insurance or with Medicaid:

• Frontier Health: The region’s primary community mental health center, with offices in Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, and surrounding counties. Offers sliding-scale fees and accepts TennCare.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Tennessee: Peer support groups and education programs available regionally.
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 anytime for immediate crisis support — available 24/7 across Tennessee.
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling via text.

6. How YAAB Compares to Other Youth Programs in Tennessee

There are many organizations working to support young adults in Tennessee. Understanding how YAAB fits into that landscape — and what makes it distinct — can help you decide whether it’s the right fit for where you are right now.

YAAB Is Leadership, Not Just Services

Many programs for transition-age youth in Tennessee focus on providing services — shelter beds, case management, job training. YAAB is different because it focuses on developing leaders who then shape those services. This distinction matters enormously. When you join a traditional service program, you’re a client. When you join YAAB, you’re a decision-maker.

That doesn’t mean YAAB replaces service programs — it works alongside them. A young adult might be enrolled in a rapid rehousing program and be a YAAB member at the same time. The two roles reinforce each other: lived experience in the housing system makes for a more effective YAAB advocate, and YAAB membership can open doors to employment and education that accelerate housing stability.

Stipends and Compensation: YAAB Takes Your Time Seriously

One of the most important ways YAAB differs from typical volunteer or advisory roles is its commitment to compensating members for their time. Unpaid advocacy work is a privilege that many young adults experiencing housing instability simply cannot afford. YAAB’s model — which includes stipends, transportation support, and sometimes meals at meetings — is designed to make participation accessible regardless of your financial situation.

This approach aligns with national best practices in youth engagement, which recognize that asking people with lived experience of poverty to donate their time is itself a form of inequity. YAAB takes that seriously — and it’s one reason the organization is able to recruit and retain members who are genuinely in the thick of the challenges the CoC is trying to solve.

7. YAAB Across Tennessee: How the Chapters Connect

The Northeast Tennessee YAAB chapter doesn’t operate in isolation. It’s part of a statewide network that amplifies local voices and connects young adults across Tennessee’s eight Continuum of Care regions. Here’s how the pieces fit together.

A Network of Regional Chapters

The Northeast Tennessee YAAB chapter is one of several regional chapters operating across the state. Each chapter corresponds to a HUD-recognized Continuum of Care region and focuses on local priorities — but all chapters are connected through the statewide YAAB network, which coordinates shared training, advocacy campaigns, and peer learning. Other Tennessee YAAB chapters include:

• TN-500: Memphis/Shelby County
• TN-501: Nashville/Davidson County
• TN-502: Knoxville/Knox County
• TN-503: Chattanooga/Hamilton County
• TN-504: Jackson/West Tennessee
• TN-506: Upper Cumberland region
• TN-507: Additional regional coverage
• TN-509: Northeast Tennessee (Kingsport, Bristol, Johnson City)

If you’re in a different part of Tennessee, you can find your local chapter at yaabtn.org/local-yaabs.

Statewide Advocacy: Bigger Than Any One Region

One of the most powerful aspects of being part of a regional YAAB chapter is the connection to the statewide network. Issues that affect young adults in Kingsport — like the age cutoff for rapid rehousing eligibility, or the lack of youth-specific shelter beds in rural areas — are often the same issues young adults in Memphis and Nashville are fighting. When YAAB chapters coordinate, they can bring a unified voice to the Tennessee General Assembly and to HUD’s regional office.

Northeast Tennessee YAAB members have participated in statewide convenings, contributed to shared advocacy platforms, and built relationships with peers from across Tennessee who share their commitment to systemic change. That network is a resource — and it’s one of the things that makes YAAB membership more than just a local commitment.

YAAB vs. Other Youth Programs: What Makes Each One Different

Not every program for transition-age youth looks the same. Here's how YAAB compares to other common program types available to young adults in Northeast Tennessee and across the state.

8. Your Rights as a Young Adult Experiencing Homelessness in Tennessee

Knowing your rights is one of the most empowering things you can do when you’re navigating homelessness or housing instability. The system can feel overwhelming, but there are legal protections specifically designed for young adults — and YAAB members are trained to help you understand them.

The McKinney-Vento Act and What It Means for You

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that protects the rights of people experiencing homelessness — including young adults. Key protections include:

• The right to enroll in school immediately, even without a permanent address, immunization records, or prior school records
• The right to remain enrolled in your school of origin even if you move to a different area
• The right to receive free school meals regardless of documentation
• The right to access all programs and services for which you are otherwise eligible

For young adults who are 18 or older and no longer in K-12, McKinney-Vento protections are less direct — but the law still shapes how colleges and universities must treat students experiencing homelessness, and many Tennessee institutions have homeless student liaisons who can help.

Unaccompanied Youth: Special Protections

If you are under 18 and experiencing homelessness without a parent or guardian — what the system calls an unaccompanied youth — you have additional legal protections. Tennessee law allows unaccompanied youth to consent to certain services (including shelter in some cases) without parental permission. Organizations that serve youth in the TN-509 region are trained to navigate these situations without automatically involving law enforcement or child protective services when it’s not necessary or safe.

If you’re 17 and unsure whether you can access services on your own, reach out to a YAAB member or a local service provider — they can walk you through your options without judgment.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Many young adults hesitate to seek help because they’re worried about who will find out. Here’s what you should know: most homeless service providers are bound by strict confidentiality rules. The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), which collects data on people using homeless services, has federal privacy protections. Your information cannot be shared with immigration authorities, law enforcement, or your family without your consent in most circumstances.

YAAB members can help you understand your privacy rights before you engage with any service provider — so you can make an informed decision about what information you share and with whom. For a deeper dive into these issues, visit YAAB’s youth homelessness resource page.

9. How to Get Involved with YAAB's Advocacy Work

Advocacy is at the heart of what YAAB does — and it’s one of the most transferable skills you can build as a young adult. Here’s a realistic picture of what getting involved in advocacy through the Northeast Tennessee YAAB chapter looks like.

What Advocacy Actually Looks Like Day to Day

The word ‘advocacy’ can sound intimidating — like it requires a law degree or years of experience. It doesn’t. In YAAB, advocacy looks like:

• Sharing your story (only if and when you choose to) with a CoC committee or a state legislator
• Reviewing a draft policy and giving feedback based on your experience
• Attending a public meeting and making a comment during the public input period
• Signing onto a letter or petition that reflects your values
• Posting on social media about an issue affecting young adults in your community
• Helping a peer find a resource they didn’t know existed

Every one of these actions is advocacy. YAAB provides training to help members feel confident doing all of them — and you never have to share more of your personal story than you’re comfortable with.

Current and Ongoing Advocacy Priorities

YAAB’s advocacy agenda is shaped by its members — which means it evolves based on what young adults across Tennessee are experiencing right now. Recurring priorities have included:

• Expanding the age of eligibility for youth-specific housing programs from 21 to 25
• Increasing the number of low-barrier shelter beds available to young adults in rural regions like Northeast Tennessee
• Improving data collection on youth homelessness to make the Point-in-Time count more accurate
• Advocating for trauma-informed and LGBTQ+-affirming practices at homeless service providers statewide
• Pushing for state-level funding for transitional housing for youth aging out of foster care

To learn more about YAAB’s current advocacy campaigns, visit the YAAB advocacy page.

10. Ready to Join the Northeast Tennessee YAAB? Here's Your Next Move

You’ve made it to the end of this guide — which probably means you’re seriously considering getting involved. Here’s everything you need to take the next step with the Northeast Tennessee YAAB chapter serving the TN-509 Continuum of Care region.

How to Connect with the TN-509 Chapter

If you’re a young adult ages 17 to 25 in Kingsport, Bristol, Johnson City, or anywhere in the TN-509 region with lived experience of homelessness or housing instability, the Northeast Tennessee YAAB chapter wants to hear from you. The best starting point is the TN-509 YAAB chapter page, where you can find current contact information, meeting schedules, and details about how to get involved.

You can also reach the broader YAAB network through the YAAB join page, which connects you to the right regional chapter based on where you are in Tennessee. Don’t worry if you’re not sure which CoC region you’re in — the team can help figure that out.

What to Bring (and What You Don't Need)

You don’t need a polished resume, a referral from a case manager, or any particular documentation to reach out to YAAB. What you bring is your experience — and that’s the most valuable thing in the room. Here’s a quick checklist of what helps when you first connect:

• A general sense of your housing situation or history (you don’t need to share details until you’re ready)
• A way to be reached — a phone number, email, or a trusted person who can pass along messages
• Openness to learning and showing up — YAAB is a commitment, and the more you put in, the more you get out

And here’s what you don’t need: a perfect story, a specific type of homelessness experience, or certainty about what you want to do. YAAB meets you where you are.

You Belong at This Table

The systems that shape housing, education, and employment for young adults in Northeast Tennessee were built by people who, in most cases, have never experienced homelessness. YAAB exists to change that — to make sure that the people who know these systems from the inside are the ones helping to redesign them. Your voice, your experience, and your perspective are not just welcome at the YAAB table. They are the whole point.

Northeast Tennessee needs young leaders who know what it’s like to navigate the Tri-Cities’ housing landscape, who understand the gap between what services promise and what they deliver, and who are ready to push for something better. If that’s you — or if you think it might be — reach out. The TN-509 chapter is your chapter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I join the Youth Action Board in Kingsport, Bristol, or Johnson City, Tennessee?

Visit the TN-509 YAAB chapter page at yaabtn.org/local-yaabs/tn-509/ to find current contact information and meeting details. You can also go to yaabtn.org/join/ to connect with the statewide network, which will route you to the Northeast Tennessee chapter. You just need to be ages 17 to 25 with lived experience of homelessness or housing instability — no referral or documentation required.

Do I have to be currently homeless to join YAAB in Northeast Tennessee?

No. YAAB welcomes young adults who have experienced homelessness or housing instability at any point, even if they are currently in stable housing. What matters is that you have firsthand knowledge of what it's like to navigate housing instability — that lived experience is what makes YAAB's advocacy credible and effective.

What is the TN-509 Continuum of Care and how does it affect young adults in the Tri-Cities area?

TN-509 is the HUD-recognized Continuum of Care region covering Northeast Tennessee, including Sullivan County (Kingsport and Bristol), Washington County (Johnson City), and surrounding areas. The CoC coordinates homeless services and applies for federal funding. The local YAAB chapter advises the TN-509 CoC, meaning YAAB members directly influence how housing resources are allocated and how programs are designed in the region.

Does YAAB pay members for their time?

Yes. YAAB recognizes that asking people with lived experience of housing instability to volunteer their time is inequitable. Members typically receive stipends or honoraria for attending meetings and participating in advocacy activities. Transportation support may also be available. Specific amounts can vary, so contact the TN-509 chapter directly for current details.

What housing resources are available for young adults in Kingsport, Bristol, and Johnson City?

Northeast Tennessee has several resources for young adults, including rapid rehousing programs, emergency shelter, and rental assistance administered through local agencies and HUD-funded programs like the Emergency Solutions Grant. Frontier Health connects youth with mental health needs to housing resources, and WIOA youth services offer employment support that can help stabilize housing. YAAB members can provide peer guidance on what's currently available and how to access it.

Can a 17-year-old join YAAB without parental permission?

YAAB's eligibility starts at age 17, and the organization works to make participation accessible to unaccompanied youth. Tennessee law provides some protections for minors accessing services independently. Reach out directly to the TN-509 chapter or the YAAB network to discuss your specific situation — the team can walk you through options without judgment and without automatically involving parents or guardians.