Who Is the Youth Action Board of Tennessee?

Before you reach out, it helps to know exactly who you’re contacting and why they exist. The Youth Action Board (YAAB) of Tennessee is a statewide advocacy organization made up of young adults ages 17 to 25 who have experienced homelessness or housing instability. Understanding what YAAB is — and what it isn’t — will help you figure out which contact pathway makes the most sense for your situation.

A Network Built on Lived Experience

YAAB isn’t a government agency or a nonprofit run by people who’ve never experienced housing instability. It’s a peer-led network — every member is a young adult between 17 and 25 who has personally navigated homelessness, couch-surfing, aging out of foster care, or housing instability in Tennessee. That lived experience is the whole point. When YAAB members sit at the table with Continuum of Care (CoC) planners, state legislators, or service providers, they bring something no consultant can: they know what it’s actually like.

Founded to fill a critical gap in Tennessee’s homeless response system, YAAB operates across the state’s major CoC regions — Memphis/Shelby, Nashville/Davidson, Knoxville/Knox, Chattanooga/Hamilton, Jackson/West TN, Upper Cumberland, and Northeast TN — so that young people in every corner of the state have a voice.

What YAAB Actually Does Day to Day

On any given week, YAAB members might be reviewing a city’s Point-in-Time Count methodology, presenting testimony to a county commission, or sitting on a CoC committee to evaluate which youth programs get funded. They also connect peers directly to housing, employment, education, and mental health resources — acting as informed navigators who understand the system from the inside.

• Policy advising: YAAB members serve on local and state advisory boards.
• Peer outreach: Members connect other young adults to services and support.
• Advocacy campaigns: YAAB drives statewide campaigns around youth homelessness legislation.
• Training and education: YAAB educates CoC partners on transition-age youth (TAY) needs.

1. Use the Online Contact Form — the Fastest Starting Point

If you’re not sure where to start, reach out to YAAB directly through their contact page — it’s the single fastest way to get connected to the right person or regional chapter for your specific situation. The form takes less than five minutes to fill out and routes your message to YAAB staff who can point you in the right direction.

What to Include in Your Message

YAAB’s online contact form is the most direct way to reach the statewide organization, whether you’re a young adult looking for help, a case manager with a referral question, or a community partner wanting to collaborate. When you fill out the form, be as specific as you can without oversharing personal details you’re not comfortable with. A few sentences about who you are and what you need is enough to get the conversation started.

• Your region or city — Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Jackson, Upper Cumberland, or Northeast TN
• Your situation in general terms — e.g., “I’m 20, I aged out of foster care, and I’m looking for housing resources in Knox County”
• What kind of response you need — a referral, information about joining YAAB, or a partnership inquiry

You don’t need to have everything figured out before you reach out. YAAB staff and members are used to meeting people exactly where they are.

Response Times and What Happens Next

After submitting the contact form, most people hear back within 2 to 5 business days. If your situation is urgent — you need shelter tonight or you’re in crisis — the contact form is a good step, but you should also call 211 (Tennessee’s statewide information and referral line) for immediate assistance while you wait. YAAB is an advocacy and navigation organization, not an emergency shelter, but they can connect you to the right people fast once they hear from you.

Once a YAAB team member responds, they’ll typically ask a few follow-up questions to understand your needs and then point you toward the most relevant regional chapter, resource, or next step. Think of it as a warm handoff rather than a cold referral.

2. Find Your Local Regional YAAB Chapter

Tennessee is a big state, and housing resources, shelter availability, and CoC programs vary significantly from Memphis to Kingsport. Connecting with your local regional YAAB chapter means getting hyper-specific, on-the-ground knowledge from peers who live in the same community you do. This is often more useful than statewide information alone.

Tennessee's Eight CoC Regions — Which One Is Yours?

Tennessee’s Continuum of Care system is divided into regional areas, and YAAB has a presence in each of them. Finding your local chapter means you’re connecting with peers who know the specific shelters, landlords, programs, and service providers in your city or county — not just generic statewide information. Here’s a quick breakdown of YAAB’s regional chapters:

• TN-500 (Memphis/Shelby County): Largest urban CoC in the state
• TN-501 (Nashville/Davidson County): Covers Metro Nashville area
• TN-502 (Knoxville/Knox County): East Tennessee hub
• TN-503 (Chattanooga/Hamilton County): Southeast Tennessee
• TN-504 (Jackson/West TN): Covers the western rural corridor
• TN-506 (Upper Cumberland): North-central Tennessee region
• TN-507 (Northeast TN): Tri-Cities and surrounding area
• TN-509 (Clarksville/Montgomery County): Northwest Tennessee

How Local Chapters Operate Differently From the Statewide Board

Each regional YAAB chapter has its own members, meeting schedule, and local priorities. A Nashville YAAB member might be focused on Metro’s rapid rehousing waitlist, while a Knoxville member is working on a youth-specific shelter gap. Local chapters meet regularly — typically monthly — and are the best entry point if you want to attend a meeting, share your story with local CoC planners, or get connected to region-specific resources.

You can explore all local YAAB chapters on the YAAB website to find meeting times, contact information, and what each chapter is currently working on. If you’re not sure which region you fall under, the statewide contact form can help sort that out too.

3. Attend a Public CoC Meeting or YAAB Event

One of the most powerful ways to connect with YAAB isn’t through a screen — it’s by walking into a space where youth voices are centered and heard. YAAB participates in public Continuum of Care meetings and hosts its own events throughout the year across Tennessee’s regions. These gatherings are open to young adults, case managers, CoC partners, and anyone who wants to understand or influence how youth homelessness is addressed in their community.

Why Showing Up in Person (or Virtually) Changes Everything

Reading about an organization online is one thing. Sitting in a room — or a Zoom call — with people who’ve been through what you’ve been through is something else entirely. YAAB members regularly attend and present at Continuum of Care planning meetings, which are public gatherings where local leaders decide how federal McKinney-Vento homeless assistance funds get allocated. These meetings are open to the public, and young adults are not just welcome — they’re needed.

Showing up to a CoC meeting as a young person with lived experience sends a message that can’t be replicated by a report or a statistic. It also gives you a front-row seat to understand how decisions about youth housing actually get made in your region.

How to Find Upcoming Events

YAAB maintains a public events calendar where you can find upcoming meetings, advocacy days, training sessions, and community events across Tennessee. Events range from in-person regional chapter meetings to statewide virtual advocacy trainings. Many events are free to attend and require no prior experience or commitment.

• Check the YAAB events calendar for dates and registration links
• Follow YAAB on social media for last-minute event announcements
• Ask your local case manager or service provider — they often know about upcoming YAAB events in your area
• Sign up for YAAB’s email list through the contact form to get event reminders directly in your inbox

4. Connect Through a Case Manager or Service Provider

You don’t have to find YAAB on your own. If you’re already connected to a service provider, shelter, transitional living program, or case manager in Tennessee, there’s a good chance they can bridge that connection for you. Warm referrals through trusted providers are one of the most common ways young adults first get connected to their regional YAAB chapter — and they’re often the most comfortable pathway for people who are in the middle of a difficult situation.

Warm Referrals: How Service Providers Connect Youth to YAAB

If you’re already working with a case manager, housing navigator, transitional living program, or youth shelter, they may already have a direct line to your local YAAB chapter. Many CoC-funded service providers in Tennessee are YAAB partners, which means they can make a warm referral — personally introducing you to a YAAB member rather than just handing you a flyer. This is often the lowest-barrier way for young adults who are in the middle of a housing crisis to get connected.

Ask your case manager directly: “Do you know anyone with the Youth Action Board?” or “Can you connect me with YAAB in this region?” If they don’t know, show them the YAAB website — many providers are eager to build those connections once they know YAAB exists.

For Case Managers and CoC Partners: How to Make a Referral

If you’re a service provider, housing specialist, or CoC partner reading this, YAAB wants to hear from you too. Referring a young adult to YAAB isn’t just about getting them a resource — it’s about connecting them to a community of peers who can support their long-term stability and leadership development. YAAB also offers training and consultation for organizations that want to better serve transition-age youth (TAY), including guidance on trauma-informed approaches and youth-centered program design.

• Use the YAAB contact form to introduce yourself and your organization
• Ask about YAAB’s CoC partner engagement opportunities
• Invite a YAAB member to speak at a staff training or community meeting
• Share YAAB’s resources page with the young adults you serve

5. Follow YAAB on Social Media and Stay in the Loop

Social media is one of the most accessible ways to stay connected to YAAB’s work, especially if you’re not ready to attend a meeting or fill out a form just yet. YAAB maintains active social media channels where they post resources, advocacy updates, member spotlights, and event announcements — all tailored to young adults in Tennessee who are navigating housing instability or want to get involved in advocacy.

Why Social Media Is More Than Just Announcements

YAAB uses social media not just to post announcements, but to share real stories from members, highlight policy wins, amplify resources, and create a visible community for young adults across Tennessee who might feel isolated in their experiences. Seeing someone your age talking openly about navigating the housing system — and winning — can be genuinely powerful when you’re in the middle of it yourself.

Social media is also where YAAB often shares time-sensitive information: emergency resource alerts, last-minute event openings, calls to action during legislative sessions, and opportunities to participate in surveys or research that shapes youth policy. Following YAAB means staying informed in real time, not just when you happen to visit the website.

Engaging, Not Just Scrolling

Don’t just follow — engage. Comment on posts, share content that resonates with you, and tag friends who might benefit from YAAB’s resources. If you have a story or perspective you want to share, YAAB’s communications team is often looking for young adults willing to contribute to their media and advocacy content. This is a low-pressure way to get involved before committing to full membership.

• Share YAAB posts about housing resources with peers who need them
• Comment your region on posts asking for youth input — it helps YAAB understand where engagement is highest
• DM YAAB accounts if you have a quick question or want to connect informally
• Check out YAAB’s media page for videos, reports, and stories from members across Tennessee

6. Join YAAB as a Member or Volunteer

Getting in touch with YAAB doesn’t have to be a one-time transaction. For many young adults across Tennessee, reaching out to YAAB is the beginning of a longer journey — one that moves from receiving support to providing it, from being navigated to doing the navigating. Joining YAAB as a member is one of the most meaningful ways to stay connected, build skills, and make sure your voice is part of the decisions that affect young people like you.

Who Can Join and What Membership Looks Like

YAAB membership is open to young adults ages 17 to 25 who have lived experience of homelessness or housing instability in Tennessee. You don’t need a perfect story, a certain level of education, or any prior advocacy experience. What YAAB is looking for is your perspective — because your experience is exactly what’s missing from most policy tables. Membership is not a full-time job. Many members participate at whatever level fits their life: attending monthly meetings, joining a subcommittee, or simply being available for occasional surveys and input sessions.

Members receive peer support, leadership development opportunities, connections to employment and education resources, and the chance to influence real decisions about youth housing in Tennessee. Some members go on to present at national conferences, testify before state committees, or lead regional chapters.

Volunteer and Supporter Roles for Those Outside the Age Range

If you’re a young adult over 25, a service provider, or a community member who wants to support YAAB’s work without being a voting member, there are still meaningful ways to get involved. YAAB welcomes volunteers who can help with event logistics, communications, research, and community outreach. Supporters can also amplify YAAB’s advocacy by sharing campaigns, attending public meetings, and encouraging young adults they know to connect with the organization.

• Volunteer at YAAB events in your region
• Support YAAB’s advocacy campaigns by sharing and engaging online
• Encourage young adults you know to explore YAAB membership
• Connect YAAB with community partners, venues, or resources that could support their work

7. Engage With YAAB's Advocacy Campaigns Directly

One of the most direct ways to connect with YAAB’s mission is to participate in the advocacy work itself. YAAB runs campaigns throughout the year — tied to Tennessee’s legislative calendar, federal housing policy cycles, and local CoC planning processes — that give young adults a concrete way to influence the systems that shape their lives. Engaging with these campaigns is also a natural entry point into the YAAB community, because you’ll be working alongside members toward a shared goal.

What YAAB Advocates For — and Why It Matters to You

YAAB’s advocacy work focuses on the policies and funding decisions that directly affect transition-age youth in Tennessee. That includes pushing for increased investment in youth-specific housing programs, improving how the Point-in-Time Count captures youth homelessness, advocating for better outcomes for youth aging out of foster care, and ensuring that young adults have seats on CoC decision-making bodies. These aren’t abstract policy debates — they determine whether there’s a bed available for a 19-year-old in Chattanooga or whether a 22-year-old in Memphis can access rapid rehousing funds.

When you engage with YAAB’s advocacy campaigns — even just by signing a petition, sharing a social post, or attending a virtual lobby day — you’re adding your voice to a chorus that decision-makers actually hear. Numbers matter in advocacy, and every young person who shows up counts.

How to Participate Without Being a Full Member

You don’t have to be a YAAB member to participate in advocacy. Many campaigns are open to any young adult or community supporter who wants to take action. YAAB regularly publishes action alerts, toolkits, and talking points that make it easy to contact your local representative, share your story, or show up at a public hearing. The YAAB advocacy page is the best place to find current campaigns and learn how to get involved at whatever level feels right for you.

• Sign up for action alerts through the contact form or social media
• Attend virtual or in-person lobby days during Tennessee’s legislative session
• Share your story (anonymously if you prefer) to support YAAB’s policy briefs
• Contact your local CoC representative and reference YAAB’s position on youth housing issues

How to Get in Touch With YAAB: 7 Pathways at a Glance

Not every contact method works the same way or serves the same need. Use this table to find the pathway that fits your situation right now.

What Happens When You Reach Out: A Realistic Timeline

If you’ve never reached out to an advocacy organization before, it can feel uncertain — you might wonder what happens next, whether anyone will actually respond, or whether you’re “the right kind of person” to be contacting them. Here’s the honest answer: YAAB is built for people exactly like you. There’s no wrong way to reach out, and the process is designed to meet you where you are. Here’s a realistic sense of what to expect after you make contact.

Week 1: First Contact and Orientation

Within the first week of reaching out, you can expect an initial response from a YAAB staff member or regional chapter contact. This first conversation is low-pressure — it’s about understanding who you are, what you need, and how YAAB might be able to help or connect you. You won’t be asked to commit to anything. If you’re looking for immediate housing resources, YAAB will point you toward the most relevant local programs while also introducing you to the broader network.

Month 1: Getting Connected to Your Region

Within the first month, most new contacts are introduced to their regional YAAB chapter and invited to attend an upcoming meeting or event. This is where the peer-to-peer connection really starts to feel real — you’re no longer talking to an organization, you’re talking to people your age who’ve been through similar things and have built something meaningful out of it. Whether you’re looking for resources, wanting to get involved, or just curious, the regional chapter is where YAAB’s work comes to life.

• Attend your first regional chapter meeting (virtual or in-person)
• Get connected to local resources specific to your CoC region
• Meet YAAB members who can answer questions from lived experience
• Decide at your own pace whether you want to pursue membership or just stay connected

Resources YAAB Can Connect You To Across Tennessee

When you connect with YAAB, you’re not just reaching an advocacy organization — you’re tapping into a network of peer navigators who can point you toward concrete resources across Tennessee. YAAB members have firsthand knowledge of what’s available in their regions, what actually works, and how to access programs that can feel confusing or inaccessible from the outside. Here’s a snapshot of what YAAB can help you find.

Housing, Shelter, and Rapid Rehousing

YAAB members know the youth housing landscape in their regions better than almost anyone — because they’ve navigated it themselves. Through YAAB, you can get connected to youth-specific shelters, transitional living programs, rapid rehousing assistance, and host home programs across Tennessee’s CoC regions. YAAB doesn’t manage these programs directly, but they know who does and can help you understand your options and your rights as a young adult seeking housing assistance.

Key housing resources YAAB can help you navigate include: CoC-funded youth shelters, Transitional Housing (TH) programs for TAY ages 18–24, Rapid Rehousing (RRH) programs with youth-specific slots, and host home or shared housing programs in select regions.

Education, Employment, and Financial Stability

Stable housing is the foundation, but YAAB’s network goes further. Members and partners can connect you to GED and high school equivalency programs, workforce development and job training, financial literacy resources, and education benefits available to youth who’ve aged out of foster care (including Tennessee’s tuition-free college programs for former foster youth). These connections are peer-navigated — meaning a YAAB member who’s been through the process can walk you through it, not just hand you a list of phone numbers.

• Tennessee Promise and Drive to 55 education programs
• Independent Living programs for foster care alumni
• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) youth services
• Financial coaching through CoC-affiliated nonprofits

Explore more on the YAAB resources page for a curated list of programs available to Tennessee youth.

How YAAB Compares to Other Ways of Getting Help

Understanding where YAAB fits in Tennessee’s broader support landscape helps you make smarter decisions about where to turn and when. YAAB is one piece of a larger ecosystem — but it’s a piece that’s often missing from the conversation, and one that can make the other pieces work better for you.

What Makes Peer-Led Advocacy Different

There are a lot of organizations in Tennessee that serve young adults experiencing homelessness — shelters, nonprofits, government agencies, and hotlines. YAAB isn’t a replacement for any of them. Instead, it fills a specific gap: youth-led navigation and advocacy that centers your voice rather than processing you as a case. When you call 211, you get a referral. When you walk into a shelter, you get a bed (if one’s available). When you connect with YAAB, you get a peer who’s been through it, knows the system, and can help you understand your options and your rights — while also working to change the system itself.

That combination of direct peer support and systemic advocacy is what makes YAAB uniquely valuable — and why connecting with YAAB alongside other services tends to produce better outcomes than either alone.

Ready to Make Your Move? Here's Your Next Step

You’ve read through seven ways to connect with Tennessee’s Youth Action Board. Now it’s time to actually do it. The hardest part of getting connected to any organization is usually just making that first move — and with YAAB, that move is as simple as sending a message, showing up to a meeting, or following an account. Here’s how to take that first step today, wherever you are in Tennessee.

You Don't Have to Have It All Figured Out

The most common reason young adults don’t reach out to YAAB — or any organization — is the feeling that they need to have their situation figured out first, or that they’re not “bad enough off” to deserve help, or that they’ll be judged for how they got here. None of that is true. YAAB was built by people who’ve been in exactly that headspace, and the whole point of the organization is to meet you where you are — not where someone else thinks you should be.

Whether you’re sleeping in a car in Memphis, couch-surfing in Knoxville, aging out of foster care in Chattanooga, or just curious about getting involved in advocacy in Nashville — there’s a place for you in this network. The first step is the same regardless of your situation: reach out.

Three Things You Can Do Right Now

You don’t need to commit to anything big to get started. Here are three concrete actions you can take today:

• Fill out the contact form: Connect with YAAB through their contact page and introduce yourself — a few sentences is enough to get the ball rolling.
• Find your regional chapter: Visit the local YAABs page to find the chapter closest to you and see when they meet next.
• Learn more about the mission: If you want to understand the bigger picture before reaching out, the About YAAB page gives you the full story of who this organization is and why it exists.

Tennessee’s youth housing crisis is real — but so is the community of young people working to change it. You don’t have to navigate this alone, and you don’t have to wait until things get worse to reach out. YAAB is here, and so are your peers across the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I contact the Youth Action Board of Tennessee?

The fastest way is through YAAB's online contact form at yaabtn.org/contact-yaab/. You can also find your local regional chapter, attend a public event, or connect through a case manager or service provider who works with YAAB.

Do I have to be homeless right now to reach out to YAAB?

No. YAAB serves young adults ages 17 to 25 who have any lived experience of homelessness or housing instability — past or present. You can also reach out if you want to get involved in advocacy or learn more about the organization, even if your housing situation is currently stable.

Is YAAB available in my city in Tennessee?

YAAB has regional chapters in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Jackson, Clarksville, Upper Cumberland, and Northeast Tennessee. If you're not sure which region you're in, the statewide contact form can help connect you to the right local chapter.

What age do you have to be to join YAAB?

YAAB membership is open to young adults ages 17 to 25 with lived experience of homelessness or housing instability in Tennessee. If you're outside that age range, you can still support YAAB's work as a volunteer or community partner.

Can a case manager refer a young person to YAAB?

Yes — case managers, housing navigators, and CoC-funded service providers are encouraged to make referrals to YAAB. The best way to start is by using YAAB's contact form or reaching out to the relevant regional chapter directly and introducing yourself as a partner.

What if I need housing help tonight — can YAAB help immediately?

YAAB is an advocacy and navigation organization, not an emergency shelter. If you need immediate housing assistance, call 211 (Tennessee's statewide helpline) first. Then reach out to YAAB — they can help you understand your longer-term options and connect you to the right programs in your region.