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

Before you fill out an application, it helps to understand what you’re actually joining — and why it matters. YAAB isn’t a support group or a program you attend. It’s a statewide network of young adult advisors who hold real seats at real tables where housing policy gets made in Tennessee.

Born From Lived Experience, Not a Boardroom

The Youth Action Board of Tennessee (YAAB) was built on a simple idea: the people closest to a problem are closest to its solution. Young adults who have slept in shelters, couch-surfed, aged out of foster care, or navigated the housing system know things that no policy analyst can learn from a spreadsheet. YAAB exists to put that knowledge where it belongs — at the decision-making table.

Nationally, research from the True Colors United organization and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness consistently shows that youth-led advocacy produces more effective, more trusted, and more durable housing solutions. Tennessee took that research seriously when it built YAAB into the fabric of its Continuum of Care (CoC) system.

How YAAB Fits Into Tennessee's Continuum of Care

Tennessee’s homeless response system is organized into regional Continuums of Care (CoCs) — federally recognized planning bodies that coordinate housing and services. Nashville and Davidson County sit inside TN-500, the Nashville/Davidson County CoC. YAAB has a local chapter embedded in TN-500, meaning Davidson County YAAB members directly influence how millions of dollars in HUD funding gets planned and spent locally.

There are YAAB chapters across eight CoC regions statewide — from Memphis to Northeast Tennessee — but the Davidson County chapter focuses specifically on the needs of Nashville-area transition-age youth (TAY), roughly ages 17 to 25.

2. Who Is Eligible to Join YAAB Davidson County?

One of the most common questions we hear is: “Am I even the right person for this?” The answer is almost always yes. YAAB Davidson County was designed specifically for young adults like you — people who have navigated a broken system and have something real to say about fixing it.

The Core Eligibility Requirements

YAAB Davidson County membership is open to young adults who meet all three of the following:

• Age: You are between 17 and 25 years old at the time of joining.
• Geography: You live in, or have recently lived in, the Nashville/Davidson County area (TN-500 CoC region).
• Lived experience: You have personal experience with homelessness or housing instability — including couch-surfing, staying in a shelter, living in a car, doubling up with family, aging out of foster care, or facing eviction.

You do not need to be currently homeless to qualify. Past experience counts. You also do not need a high school diploma, a clean record, or any prior advocacy experience.

What 'Lived Experience' Actually Means

The term lived experience can feel vague, but YAAB defines it broadly and without judgment. If any of the following describe you, you likely qualify:

• You stayed in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program at any point.
• You couch-surfed or stayed temporarily with friends or relatives because you had nowhere else to go.
• You aged out of Tennessee’s foster care system (DCS custody) at 18 — or up to age 21 under extended foster care.
• You lived in a car, tent, abandoned building, or other place not meant for human habitation.
• You were asked to leave home by a parent or guardian and had no stable place to go.
• You experienced housing instability due to domestic violence, family conflict, LGBTQ+ rejection, or economic crisis.

If you’re unsure whether your experience qualifies, reach out — YAAB staff will talk it through with you, no pressure.

3. What Do YAAB Davidson County Members Actually Do?

Joining YAAB is not just about giving back — it’s about building your own future at the same time. Members take on real responsibilities that develop genuine skills, expand professional networks, and create pathways to careers in policy, social services, and community leadership.

Advising Local Decision-Makers

Davidson County YAAB members attend CoC planning meetings, subcommittee sessions, and community forums where they provide youth perspective on housing programs, shelter policies, and service gaps. This is not symbolic participation — YAAB members have influenced real policy outcomes, including how Nashville’s CoC prioritizes youth in its Coordinated Entry system and how outreach workers are trained to engage young people.

Members are often invited to speak at city council sessions, Tennessee state legislative hearings, and national conferences. Some have testified before state legislators in Nashville about youth homelessness data and policy recommendations.

Peer Outreach and Resource Connection

YAAB members also serve as trusted connectors in their own communities. Because you share lived experience with the young people you’re helping, you can reach peers that traditional outreach workers often can’t. Members help connect other young adults to:

• Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing programs in Davidson County
• Tennessee’s Coordinated Entry system for youth housing
• Employment and job training programs (including TN WIOA Youth services)
• Education pathways including GED programs and community college enrollment
• Mental health and substance use support services

Leadership Development and Skill Building

Membership is also an investment in you. YAAB provides structured leadership training, public speaking coaching, and professional development opportunities. Members build skills in:

• Policy analysis and advocacy strategy
• Data collection and community needs assessment
• Facilitation and meeting leadership
• Grant writing and program evaluation basics

These are résumé-building, career-launching skills — and YAAB membership itself is a credential that employers and higher-education programs recognize and respect.

4. Are YAAB Members Paid? Understanding Stipends and Benefits

A common concern for young adults considering YAAB is whether participation is worth their time — especially when time is already stretched thin by work, school, housing searches, and survival. The short answer: YAAB compensates members because their knowledge has real value. Here’s what that looks like in practice.

Stipends for Your Time and Expertise

Yes — YAAB members receive stipends for their participation. Your lived experience is expertise, and expertise deserves compensation. Stipend amounts and structures can vary by region and funding cycle, so contact YAAB directly for the most current rates for the Davidson County chapter. Stipends are typically tied to meeting attendance, project participation, and specific advocacy activities.

It’s important to know that stipend income may affect means-tested benefits like SNAP or SSI/SSDI. YAAB staff can help you understand how to report stipend income and whether any exemptions apply in Tennessee. Always ask before assuming — the rules are more flexible than most people think.

Additional Supports and Opportunities

Beyond stipends, YAAB membership can open doors to:

• Conference travel — members have attended national youth homelessness convenings, with travel and lodging covered
• Networking — connections to CoC partner agencies, nonprofit leaders, and government officials across Tennessee
• References and letters of support — YAAB staff can provide professional references for jobs, housing applications, or school enrollment
• Peer community — a network of young adults across Tennessee who understand your experience and have your back

The non-financial benefits of membership are often the ones members talk about most: feeling heard, building confidence, and finding a community of peers who get it.

5. The Nashville Housing Landscape: Why Your Voice Matters Right Now

Nashville is booming — but that boom has a shadow side for young adults without stable housing. Understanding the local context helps explain why the Davidson County YAAB chapter exists and why your participation in it is genuinely urgent.

Youth Homelessness in Davidson County by the Numbers

Nashville’s housing market is one of the fastest-growing and most expensive in the Southeast. Between 2019 and 2024, median rent in Davidson County increased by more than 40%, putting enormous pressure on young adults with limited income. According to the 2023 Point-in-Time Count for TN-500, hundreds of transition-age youth were counted as experiencing homelessness on a single January night — and researchers estimate the true number is 3 to 5 times higher when hidden homelessness (couch-surfing, doubling up) is included.

LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately represented, accounting for an estimated 40% of homeless youth nationally despite being roughly 7% of the general youth population. Youth of color, particularly Black young adults, are also overrepresented in Nashville’s homeless population relative to their share of the city’s overall demographics.

The Gap Between Need and Available Resources

Davidson County has a range of youth-serving programs — from Oasis Center’s emergency shelter to Conexión Américas’ community supports — but the gap between available beds and young adults in need remains significant. Nashville’s CoC has identified youth-specific housing as a top priority, and YAAB members are actively involved in advocating for more rapid rehousing units, more Transitional Living Program (TLP) slots, and better Coordinated Entry navigation for young adults.

When you join YAAB, you’re not just sharing your story — you’re helping quantify and communicate a crisis that the data alone can’t fully capture.

6. Step-by-Step: How to Join YAAB Davidson County

The process of joining YAAB Davidson County is designed to be as low-barrier as possible. There are no lengthy applications, no background check requirements, and no prerequisites beyond your age and lived experience. Here’s exactly what to expect.

Step 1 — Express Interest and Make Contact

The first step is simply reaching out. You can start your application online at yaabtn.org/join — the form is straightforward and takes about 10 minutes. You can also contact the YAAB team directly through the website if you have questions before applying. There is no wrong way to start the conversation.

If you’re currently in a shelter, transitional housing program, or working with a case manager, ask your provider about YAAB — many CoC partner agencies in Nashville have YAAB liaisons who can help you connect.

Step 2 — The Intake and Onboarding Process

After you express interest, a YAAB staff member or regional coordinator will reach out to schedule a brief intake conversation. This is not an interview in the traditional sense — there’s no judgment, no trick questions. The conversation is about understanding your experience, your interests, and what you hope to get out of membership.

Onboarding typically includes:

• An orientation to YAAB’s structure, values, and expectations
• Introduction to your regional CoC and local partner agencies
• A review of the member agreement, stipend structure, and meeting schedule
• Connection to any immediate supports you might need (housing, employment, etc.)

Step 3 — Show Up and Shape Things

Once onboarded, you’ll begin attending regular YAAB meetings — typically held monthly, with additional subcommittee or project meetings as needed. Nashville members also participate in statewide YAAB convenings where all regional chapters come together to share updates, align on advocacy priorities, and build community across Tennessee.

Your level of involvement can grow over time. Some members start by attending meetings and gradually take on leadership roles — facilitating sessions, representing YAAB at CoC meetings, or leading peer outreach projects. There’s no pressure to do everything at once.

7. What to Expect in Your First 90 Days as a YAAB Member

Knowing what the first few months look like can make the decision to join feel a lot less intimidating. Here’s a realistic picture of what new Davidson County YAAB members typically experience in their first 90 days.

Month 1: Learning the Landscape

Your first month is mostly about orientation — getting familiar with how Nashville’s CoC works, who the key players are, and what YAAB’s current priorities are. You’ll meet your fellow Davidson County members and start building relationships with YAAB staff and regional coordinators. Expect to attend at least one full YAAB meeting and possibly one CoC subcommittee meeting as an observer.

Don’t worry about having all the answers right away. The most valuable thing you bring in month one is your perspective — and that doesn’t require preparation.

Month 2–3: Finding Your Role

By months two and three, most new members start to identify where they want to contribute most. Some gravitate toward policy and data work — reviewing program reports, analyzing Point-in-Time Count data, or drafting recommendations. Others prefer peer outreach — connecting with young adults in shelters or on the street and helping them navigate Coordinated Entry. Still others focus on public speaking and storytelling — sharing their experience at community events, on panels, or in media.

YAAB staff will help you find your lane. There’s genuinely something for everyone, and your role can evolve as your confidence and capacity grow.

8. YAAB Across Tennessee: How Davidson County Connects to the Bigger Picture

Joining the Davidson County chapter doesn’t mean your impact stops at the Davidson County line. YAAB is a statewide network, and every regional chapter feeds into a collective voice that reaches all the way to the Tennessee state legislature and federal housing agencies.

Eight Regional Chapters, One Statewide Voice

The Davidson County YAAB chapter is part of a statewide network of eight regional chapters, each embedded in its local CoC. The other chapters cover Memphis/Shelby County (TN-501), Knoxville/Knox County (TN-502), Chattanooga/Hamilton County (TN-503), Jackson/West Tennessee (TN-504), Upper Cumberland (TN-506), Northeast Tennessee (TN-507), and the Balance of State (TN-509).

All eight chapters coordinate through the statewide YAAB structure, which means Nashville members have the opportunity to connect with and learn from peers across Tennessee — and to advocate collectively on state-level policy issues that affect all transition-age youth, not just those in Davidson County.

State-Level Advocacy and Legislative Impact

One of the most powerful aspects of YAAB’s statewide structure is its ability to bring youth voices directly to the Tennessee General Assembly. YAAB members have participated in legislative advocacy days in Nashville, met with state legislators, and contributed to state Consolidated Plans and CoC applications that shape how federal HUD funding flows to Tennessee communities.

When you join the Davidson County chapter, you’re not just influencing Nashville — you’re part of a movement that shapes housing policy for young adults across all of Tennessee. Learn more about YAAB’s statewide advocacy work at yaabtn.org/advocacy.

How YAAB Davidson County Compares to Other Nashville Youth Programs

Not all youth programs are the same. Here's how YAAB stacks up against other common program types on the dimensions that matter most to transition-age youth in Nashville.

9. Resources Available to YAAB Members and Nashville Youth

YAAB membership puts you at the center of Nashville’s youth-serving resource network. But you don’t have to wait to become a member to start accessing support. Here’s a snapshot of what’s available to young adults in Davidson County right now.

Housing and Shelter Resources in Davidson County

Whether or not you’re ready to join YAAB, Nashville has resources available to transition-age youth experiencing housing instability right now. Key programs include:

• Oasis Center — emergency shelter and transitional housing specifically for youth ages 14–24 in Nashville
• Nashville’s Coordinated Entry system — a single access point for housing resources; ask any CoC partner to connect you
• Rapid Rehousing programs — short-term rental assistance and case management to help youth move into stable housing quickly
• Transitional Living Programs (TLPs) — longer-term supported housing for youth ages 16–22

YAAB members can help you navigate these options. You can also explore the full resource directory at yaabtn.org/resources.

Education, Employment, and Financial Supports

Beyond housing, Nashville-area YAAB members and partner agencies can connect young adults to:

• Tennessee WIOA Youth Program — funded job training, work experience, and career counseling for ages 16–24
• GED and HiSET programs — free or low-cost pathways to a high school equivalency credential through Tennessee Adult Education
• Nashville State Community College — dual enrollment, workforce programs, and financial aid for students without stable housing
• Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect — free community college tuition programs for eligible young adults
• Bank On Nashville — free or low-fee checking accounts for young adults without banking history

10. Common Questions and Concerns About Joining YAAB

It’s completely normal to have hesitations before joining something new — especially when you’ve had experiences that made it hard to trust systems. Here are honest answers to the concerns we hear most often from Nashville young adults considering YAAB.

"I Don't Feel Like an Expert — Is That Okay?"

This is the most common concern new members share — and the answer is an emphatic yes. YAAB is not looking for polished policy professionals. It’s looking for young adults who have lived through housing instability and are willing to share what that experience was actually like. Your story is the expertise. The policy knowledge and advocacy skills come with training and time.

Many current YAAB members say they felt exactly the same way before joining — and that within their first few meetings, that feeling started to shift as they realized how much they already knew.

"Will This Affect My Benefits or Housing Situation?"

This is a legitimate and important question. Stipend income from YAAB participation may need to be reported depending on which benefits you receive. However:

• Many stipends are structured to stay below thresholds that would affect SNAP or Medicaid eligibility
• SSI/SSDI has specific earned income rules — YAAB staff can help you understand how stipends are classified
• YAAB participation does not affect your eligibility for housing programs or your place in Coordinated Entry

Always talk to a YAAB staff member or benefits counselor before assuming the worst. The rules are often more favorable than people expect, and YAAB has helped many members navigate this successfully.

"What If My Schedule Is Unpredictable?"

Life at 17 to 25 — especially life navigating housing instability — is rarely predictable. YAAB gets that. Meeting schedules are set with member input, and there is flexibility built into participation expectations. Missing a meeting occasionally is not grounds for removal. YAAB staff work with members to find a level of engagement that’s sustainable given their real-life circumstances.

If you’re in a particularly unstable period — between housing situations, starting a new job, or dealing with a crisis — YAAB can pause your active participation and reconnect when things stabilize. The door stays open.

11. YAAB vs. Other Youth Programs: How It Compares

Nashville has a number of programs that serve transition-age youth, and it can be hard to know how YAAB fits alongside them. The table below compares YAAB Davidson County with other common program types on the dimensions that matter most to young adults making this decision.

12. Ready to Shape Nashville's Future? Here's Your Next Move

You’ve made it this far — which means you’re already thinking about what’s possible. Here’s how to take that energy and turn it into action. Nashville’s Continuum of Care needs young adult voices at the table, and the Davidson County YAAB chapter has a seat with your name on it.

Apply Today — No Perfect Story Required

If you’re a Nashville-area young adult between 17 and 25 with lived experience of homelessness or housing instability, YAAB Davidson County wants to hear from you. You don’t need a polished application, a clean record, or a plan for what you want to do with your life. You just need your experience and a willingness to show up.

The application takes about 10 minutes and is available year-round. Join the Youth Action Board today at yaabtn.org/join and take the first step toward turning your experience into impact — for yourself and for every young adult in Nashville who comes after you.

Connect With the Broader YAAB Community

Want to learn more before you apply? Explore the full YAAB network at yaabtn.org/local-yaabs/tn-500 to learn specifically about the Davidson County chapter, or visit yaabtn.org/about-yaab to understand the statewide mission and how all eight Tennessee chapters work together.

You can also reach the YAAB team directly through the contact page if you have questions, want to talk to a current member, or need support navigating resources before you’re ready to apply. There is no wrong time to reach out — and no question too small.

Nashville needs your voice. Tennessee needs your voice. And YAAB is the place where that voice gets heard.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I join the Youth Action Board in Nashville Tennessee?

You can apply online at yaabtn.org/join. The application takes about 10 minutes. You must be between 17 and 25 years old and have lived experience of homelessness or housing instability in the Nashville/Davidson County area. No prior experience or credentials are required.

Do YAAB members get paid in Tennessee?

Yes. YAAB members receive stipends for their participation in meetings and advocacy activities. Stipend amounts vary by region and funding cycle — contact YAAB directly for current Davidson County rates. Stipend income may need to be reported for certain benefits, so ask YAAB staff for guidance specific to your situation.

What is the Youth Action Board Davidson County and what does it do?

The Youth Action Board (YAAB) Davidson County is a chapter of the statewide Tennessee YAAB network, embedded in the Nashville/Davidson County Continuum of Care (TN-500). Members are young adults ages 17 to 25 with lived experience of homelessness who advise local housing agencies, influence CoC policy, connect peers to resources, and build their own leadership skills.

Do I have to currently be homeless to join YAAB?

No. YAAB accepts members who have past experience with homelessness or housing instability, not just those currently experiencing it. If you have ever couch-surfed, stayed in a shelter, aged out of foster care, or faced eviction, you likely qualify — even if you now have stable housing.

Will joining YAAB affect my housing benefits or SNAP?

It depends on your specific benefits and the stipend structure. Some stipends are structured to stay below benefit-affecting thresholds, and YAAB participation does not affect your place in Coordinated Entry. Talk to a YAAB staff member or benefits counselor before joining to understand how stipend income would apply to your situation.

What is the Continuum of Care TN-500 and how does YAAB fit into it?

TN-500 is Nashville and Davidson County's federally recognized Continuum of Care — the planning body that coordinates homeless housing programs and distributes HUD funding locally. YAAB Davidson County is embedded in TN-500, meaning YAAB members have direct input into how those resources are planned and prioritized for transition-age youth.