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

The Youth Action Board (YAAB) of Tennessee is not a support group, a class, or a program you graduate out of. It is a policy and advocacy body made up of young adults ages 17 to 25 who have lived through housing instability and are now using that experience to change the systems that failed them — or that helped them — so those systems work better for every young person who comes after.

Understanding what YAAB actually does is the first step to knowing whether it’s the right fit for you.

Lived Experience as a Qualification, Not a Liability

Most policy tables are filled with people who have studied homelessness from the outside. YAAB flips that. Your firsthand knowledge of couch-surfing, shelter stays, aging out of foster care, or navigating housing applications is exactly the expertise Tennessee’s Continuum of Care (CoC) regions need. YAAB was built on the principle that the people most affected by a system should have the loudest voice in shaping it.

Across the country, youth advisory boards have been shown to improve service quality, increase program uptake among TAY, and reduce gaps in the shelter-to-housing pipeline — because the people designing solutions actually understand the problem.

YAAB's Role Inside Tennessee's Continuum of Care

Tennessee’s housing safety net is organized into regional Continuums of Care (CoCs) — federally recognized planning bodies that coordinate homeless services and distribute HUD funding. YAAB operates inside these CoCs as the official youth voice. That means YAAB members sit in on CoC meetings, review funding proposals, and push for policies that center transition-age youth (TAY) — people ages 17 to 25 — rather than treating them as an afterthought.

There are eight active YAAB regions covering Memphis/Shelby County, Nashville/Davidson, Knoxville/Knox, Chattanooga/Hamilton, Jackson/West Tennessee, Upper Cumberland, Northeast Tennessee, and additional CoC zones. Each regional YAAB has its own leadership team and meeting schedule, but all share the same statewide mission.

2. Who Is Eligible to Apply? Understanding the Requirements

Before you fill out an application, it helps to know exactly who YAAB is looking for. The eligibility bar is intentionally low — YAAB wants to reach young people who have been overlooked by other leadership programs, not just those who already have a polished resume or a history of volunteerism.

The Core Eligibility Criteria

YAAB membership has three non-negotiable eligibility requirements:

• Age: You must be between 17 and 25 years old at the time of application. Some regions allow members to stay on until age 26 if they joined before turning 25 — check with your local YAAB.
• Lived experience: You must have personal experience with homelessness or housing instability. This includes couch-surfing, staying in a shelter, living in a car, aging out of foster care without stable housing, or any period where you lacked a safe, consistent place to sleep.
• Tennessee residency: You must currently live in Tennessee, ideally within or near one of the eight CoC regions.

You do not need to be currently homeless. Many YAAB members are now stably housed and use their past experience to advocate for others.

What 'Lived Experience' Actually Means

The term ‘lived experience’ can feel vague, so here’s what it looks like in practice. You qualify if you have ever:

• Stayed in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program
• Slept outside, in a car, or in a place not meant for human habitation
• Moved between friends’ or family members’ homes because you had nowhere stable to go (couch-surfing)
• Aged out of the foster care system and experienced housing instability afterward
• Been evicted or lost housing due to domestic violence, family conflict, or economic hardship

You do not need documentation to prove your experience. YAAB operates on a trust-based model — your word and your story are enough to get started.

A Note for Case Managers and Service Providers

If you are a case manager, CoC partner, or service provider reading this article, you play a key role in connecting eligible young people to YAAB. Many TAY do not self-identify as ‘advocates’ or believe they have anything to offer a policy table. Your encouragement and a warm referral can change that. Share this article, mention YAAB during intake, and remind youth that their experience is a credential — not a source of shame.

3. Find Your Regional YAAB Across Tennessee

Tennessee is a long state with very different communities from Memphis in the west to the Tri-Cities in the northeast. YAAB reflects that geography — there are eight regional chapters, each embedded in its local Continuum of Care. Finding the right one for you is the first practical step in your membership journey.

The Eight YAAB Regions and Their CoC Codes

Tennessee’s YAAB network is organized by CoC region. Here’s a quick reference:

• TN-500 — Memphis/Shelby County: Covers Memphis metro and surrounding Shelby County communities.
• TN-501 — Nashville/Davidson County: Covers Nashville metro, Davidson County, and nearby areas.
• TN-502 — Knoxville/Knox County: Covers Knoxville and Knox County.
• TN-503 — Chattanooga/Hamilton County: Covers Chattanooga metro and Hamilton County.
• TN-504 — Murfreesboro/Rutherford County: Covers the Murfreesboro area and Rutherford County.
• TN-506 — Upper Cumberland: Covers Cookeville and the Upper Cumberland region.
• TN-507 — Northeast Tennessee: Covers the Tri-Cities area and surrounding Northeast TN counties.
• TN-509 — Jackson/West Tennessee: Covers Jackson and the broader West Tennessee region.

How to Confirm Which Region Is Yours

Your region is determined by where you currently live, not where you grew up or where you experienced homelessness. If you’re unsure which CoC covers your county, the YAAB website’s local YAABs page lists each region with contact information and meeting details. You can also reach out through the YAAB contact page and someone will point you in the right direction.

If you live in a rural area that feels far from any regional hub, don’t count yourself out. Several YAAB regions hold hybrid or virtual meetings specifically to include members from smaller towns and rural counties. Distance is not a disqualifier.

4. What the Application Process Actually Looks Like

One of the biggest myths about YAAB is that the application is complicated or intimidating. It isn’t. The process is designed to be accessible to young people who may have had negative experiences with bureaucratic systems — so it’s intentionally low-barrier, relationship-first, and flexible. Here’s what to expect from start to finish.

Step 1 — Express Interest and Make Contact

The first move is simple: reach out. You can start by visiting yaabtn.org/join to express your interest in becoming a YAAB member. The form is short — it asks for your name, contact info, your region, and a brief description of your interest or experience. There is no essay, no GPA requirement, and no references needed at this stage.

Alternatively, you can contact your regional YAAB coordinator directly through the local YAABs page. Some regions also accept referrals from case managers, shelter staff, or CoC partners — so if someone who knows you suggested YAAB, mention their name when you reach out.

Step 2 — Informal Conversation or Interview

After you express interest, most regional YAABs will schedule a brief informal conversation — sometimes called an intake chat or a get-to-know-you call. This is not a job interview. No one is trying to trip you up or test your policy knowledge. The goal is to make sure you understand what membership involves, answer your questions, and confirm that the timing works for your life right now.

Common topics in this conversation: your availability for meetings, any barriers you might face (transportation, childcare, work schedule), and what you’re hoping to get out of membership. Be honest — YAAB coordinators are there to help you succeed, not to screen you out.

Step 3 — Orientation and Onboarding

Once you’re accepted, you’ll go through an orientation session. Orientation typically covers YAAB’s mission and structure, how your regional CoC works, what meetings look like, member rights and responsibilities, and any stipend or incentive information. Orientation length varies by region — some are a single two-hour session, others are spread across two or three shorter meetings. Either way, you’ll leave knowing exactly what to expect and who to call if you have questions.

5. What You'll Actually Do as a YAAB Member

Knowing what you’ll do as a member is just as important as knowing how to join. YAAB membership is active — it’s not a mailing list or a certificate program. Here’s a realistic picture of the work, the opportunities, and the time commitment involved.

Attending CoC Meetings and Advising Decision-Makers

As a YAAB member, you will attend Continuum of Care meetings — the planning sessions where local leaders decide how to allocate housing resources, which programs get funded, and what the priorities are for the coming year. Your job is to be in the room, share your perspective, ask questions, and make sure youth voices are part of every major decision.

This can feel intimidating at first. CoC meetings involve a lot of acronyms and policy language. But YAAB provides training so you can decode the jargon and show up prepared. And you won’t be alone — you’ll have fellow YAAB members and a coordinator supporting you.

Peer Outreach and Community Connection

YAAB members also do peer outreach — connecting other young people to housing resources, shelter options, and support services. Because you’ve been in similar situations, you can reach peers that formal outreach workers sometimes can’t. You know the language, the fears, and the real barriers. That peer credibility is one of YAAB’s most powerful tools.

Outreach can look like tabling at community events, sharing resources on social media, doing street outreach with a team, or simply telling a friend about a program that helped you. You decide how much outreach work fits your capacity.

Leadership Development and Skill Building

Membership isn’t just about giving — it’s also about growing. YAAB invests in its members through leadership training, public speaking workshops, policy education sessions, and opportunities to attend state and national conferences on youth homelessness. Many former YAAB members have gone on to careers in social work, public policy, housing advocacy, and community organizing — and they credit YAAB as the place where those skills were first built.

You’ll also build a network of peers, mentors, and professional contacts across Tennessee that can open doors long after your YAAB membership ends.

6. Benefits of YAAB Membership: What You Get in Return

YAAB is a two-way relationship. You bring your experience, your time, and your voice. In return, YAAB offers real, tangible benefits — not just the warm feeling of doing good work, but concrete supports that can make a difference in your daily life.

Stipends and Financial Incentives

Many regional YAABs offer stipends or gift cards to compensate members for their time. Advocacy is work, and YAAB recognizes that. Stipend amounts and structures vary by region and available funding — some regions pay per meeting attended, others offer monthly stipends, and some provide gift cards or transportation reimbursements. During your intake conversation, ask your regional coordinator what compensation is currently available.

Even when stipends are modest, they reflect an important principle: your time and expertise have value. You should never feel like you’re being asked to give everything and receive nothing.

Access to Resources, Referrals, and Support

YAAB members often get early or direct access to housing resources, employment programs, education pathways, and mental health supports through the CoC network. Being inside the system — rather than navigating it from the outside — means you hear about opportunities faster and have warm connections to the people who can help.

The YAAB resources page is a good starting point for the kinds of supports available across Tennessee. Membership amplifies your access to all of it.

Community, Belonging, and Peer Support

Perhaps the most consistent thing YAAB members say about their experience is this: it’s the first place I felt like my story mattered. When you’re in a room full of people who have navigated similar situations — and who are now using those experiences to build something — the isolation that often comes with housing instability starts to lift.

YAAB is a community. Members support each other, celebrate wins together, and show up when things get hard. That sense of belonging is real, and it’s one of the things that keeps members engaged long after their first meeting.

7. How YAAB Compares to Other Youth Programs in Tennessee

If you’re weighing your options or wondering how YAAB fits alongside other programs you’re already part of, this section breaks down what makes YAAB distinct — and why that distinction matters for transition-age youth in Tennessee.

Why YAAB Is Different from a Support Program

Many programs for transition-age youth are designed to provide services to young people — case management, shelter, job training, counseling. Those programs are valuable and YAAB members often use them. But YAAB itself is not a service program. It is a leadership and advocacy body. You are not a client. You are a decision-maker.

That distinction matters because it changes the power dynamic. Instead of receiving help, you are shaping the systems that provide help. That’s a fundamentally different role — and one that many young people find more empowering than any service they’ve received.

YAAB vs. Youth Advisory Councils and Volunteer Programs

Some cities have youth advisory councils or volunteer programs that also involve young people in civic life. YAAB is similar in spirit but more specific in focus: it targets transition-age youth with housing instability experience, operates inside the formal CoC structure, and has direct influence on HUD-funded programs and policies. That specificity gives YAAB members unusual access and real leverage — not just a symbolic seat at the table.

If you’ve participated in other youth leadership programs, YAAB will feel familiar in some ways and more substantive in others. The stakes are higher because the decisions being made directly affect people’s ability to find housing and stay housed.

YAAB Membership at a Glance: What to Expect by Region

Every regional YAAB shares the same core mission, but the details vary. Use this table to understand what's typical across Tennessee's eight CoC regions so you know what questions to ask during your intake conversation.

8. Common Barriers to Joining — and How to Overcome Them

Real talk: there are reasons young people don’t apply, and most of them have nothing to do with not caring or not being qualified. Here are the most common barriers YAAB members have named — and the honest answers to each one.

"I Don't Have Transportation"

Transportation is one of the most common barriers for YAAB members across Tennessee, especially in rural regions. Here’s what helps: many regional YAABs offer transportation reimbursement or bus passes. Several regions have moved to hybrid or fully virtual meetings since 2020, meaning you can participate from your phone or a library computer. If transportation is a barrier, say so during your intake conversation — coordinators are used to problem-solving this and won’t penalize you for it.

"I'm Not a Good Public Speaker" or "I Don't Know Enough About Policy"

You don’t need to be. YAAB provides training. Public speaking, policy literacy, and advocacy skills are things you build inside YAAB — they’re not prerequisites. The only thing you need to bring is your honest experience and a willingness to learn. Some of the most effective YAAB members started with zero policy knowledge and became the most informed voices in their CoC within a year.

Your lived experience is already expertise. The policy language is just a tool — and YAAB will teach you how to use it.

"My Life Is Too Unstable Right Now"

This is the hardest barrier to address, and it’s the most real. If you’re currently in crisis — actively unsheltered, fleeing a dangerous situation, or dealing with an acute mental health episode — YAAB membership may not be the right immediate priority. That’s okay. YAAB will still be here when things stabilize.

That said, some members have found that YAAB actually helps stabilize their lives — because membership comes with community, resources, and a sense of purpose that can be grounding during difficult periods. Talk honestly with a coordinator about where you are. They can help you figure out the right timing.

9. YAAB's Impact: Real Numbers from Tennessee's CoC Regions

Advocacy is more convincing — and more motivating — when you can see the scale of what you’re working on and the evidence that youth-led work actually moves the needle. Here’s a grounded look at the numbers behind YAAB’s mission in Tennessee.

Youth Homelessness in Tennessee — The Scope of the Problem

According to HUD’s Annual Homeless Assessment Report, on a single night in January 2023, more than 8,000 people were experiencing homelessness in Tennessee — and transition-age youth (ages 18–24) represent one of the fastest-growing segments of that population. Nationally, an estimated 4.2 million young people experience homelessness over the course of a year, with LGBTQ+ youth, youth of color, and youth aging out of foster care disproportionately represented.

In Tennessee, youth aging out of foster care face particularly steep odds: approximately 20% experience homelessness within two years of leaving the foster care system, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

What Youth-Led Advocacy Actually Changes

Research from the National Alliance to End Homelessness and the Corporation for Supportive Housing consistently shows that CoC regions with active youth advisory bodies produce better outcomes for TAY — including higher rates of permanent housing placement, more youth-specific funding allocations, and programs that TAY actually use. YAAB’s presence in Tennessee’s CoC structure is part of that evidence base.

YAAB members have contributed to policy changes including expanded youth shelter capacity, improved data collection on TAY homelessness, and the development of youth-specific housing programs in multiple Tennessee regions. Those wins happened because young people with lived experience were in the room.

10. How to Support YAAB If You're a Case Manager or CoC Partner

If you’re a case manager, shelter worker, or CoC partner reading this, you’re not the audience for YAAB membership — but you are one of the most important pipelines for getting the right young people connected. Here’s how to do that well.

Making Warm Referrals That Actually Work

The most effective referrals to YAAB are warm ones — meaning you’ve already talked to the young person about what YAAB is, why you think they’d be a good fit, and what to expect. Cold referrals (just handing someone a flyer) have a much lower conversion rate. Take five minutes to explain YAAB in plain language, share your own enthusiasm for the work, and offer to help them make first contact if they’re nervous.

Timing matters too. Referrals made during a period of relative stability — not in acute crisis — are more likely to result in sustained membership. That said, don’t wait for perfect conditions. If a young person is interested and eligible, encourage them to reach out and let the YAAB coordinator assess readiness together with them.

Integrating YAAB into Your Program's Culture

If you run a transitional housing program, a drop-in center, or any TAY-serving service, consider making YAAB a standard part of your intake conversation — not an afterthought. Post YAAB information in your waiting areas, mention it in group sessions, and celebrate when your clients join or advance in leadership roles.

You can also support YAAB institutionally: advocate for your organization to become a CoC partner that actively supports youth advisory participation, provide letters of support for YAAB funding applications, or offer your space for YAAB meetings. Small acts of institutional support add up to a stronger youth voice across Tennessee.

11. Take the Next Step: Join Your Regional YAAB Today

You’ve read the whole guide. You know what YAAB is, who’s eligible, how the application works, what members do, and what you’ll get in return. Now comes the part that matters most: actually taking the first step. Here’s exactly what to do next — and a reminder of why it’s worth it.

What Happens After You Apply

After you submit your interest form or reach out to your regional YAAB, here’s the typical timeline: within one to two weeks, a coordinator will contact you to schedule your intake conversation. After that conversation, most applicants move into orientation within two to four weeks. From orientation, you’re a member — and your first CoC meeting or peer outreach event is usually within the following month.

The whole process from first contact to active membership typically takes four to six weeks, though it can move faster if your regional YAAB has an upcoming meeting cycle. Don’t let the timeline discourage you — start now and let the process unfold.

Your Story Is Already Enough

If you’ve read this far and you’re still wondering whether YAAB is for you, here’s the honest answer: if you’re 17 to 25, you’re in Tennessee, and you’ve experienced housing instability, YAAB is for you. You don’t need a polished story. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You don’t need to be the loudest person in the room.

You just need to show up. YAAB will meet you where you are — and help you build from there. Tennessee’s housing system needs your voice. Your peers need someone who gets it. And you deserve a community that sees your experience as an asset.

Learn more about what YAAB stands for and the work members are doing at yaabtn.org/about-yaab, and when you’re ready, apply to join your regional YAAB at yaabtn.org/join — the application takes less than ten minutes and could change the direction of your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old do you have to be to join YAAB in Tennessee?

You must be between 17 and 25 years old to apply for YAAB membership in Tennessee. Some regions allow members to remain active until age 26 if they joined before turning 25. Check with your regional YAAB coordinator for the exact age policy in your area.

Do I have to be currently homeless to join YAAB?

No. YAAB is open to young adults ages 17 to 25 who have lived experience of homelessness or housing instability at any point in their lives — not just those who are currently unhoused. Many active YAAB members are now stably housed and use their past experience to advocate for others.

Is there a cost to join YAAB?

No, there is no cost to join YAAB. Membership is free, and many regional YAABs actually provide stipends, gift cards, or transportation reimbursements to compensate members for their time and participation.

How much time does YAAB membership require each month?

Time commitment varies by region, but most YAAB members attend one to two meetings per month, plus occasional outreach events or training sessions. Coordinators work with members to accommodate work schedules, school, and other obligations — flexibility is built into the model.

What if I live in a rural area of Tennessee far from a YAAB hub?

Several YAAB regions — especially Upper Cumberland, Northeast Tennessee, and Murfreesboro — offer hybrid or fully virtual meetings to include members from rural counties. Transportation barriers are common and coordinators are experienced at problem-solving them. Distance alone should not stop you from applying.

How do I find out which YAAB region covers my county?

Visit the local YAABs page at yaabtn.org/local-yaabs to see a list of all eight Tennessee regions with contact information. You can also use the contact form at yaabtn.org/contact-yaab and a YAAB staff member will help you identify the right regional chapter for where you currently live.