1. What Is the Youth Action Board of Tennessee?

Before you fill out any form, it helps to understand what you’re actually joining. The Youth Action Board of Tennessee (YAAB) is a statewide network of young adults — ages 17 to 25 — who have lived through homelessness or housing instability and now use that experience to shape the policies and programs that affect their peers. Think of it as a leadership pipeline where your story isn’t a liability; it’s the reason you belong in the room.

A Network Built by Young People, for Young People

YAAB isn’t a program that happens to young adults — it’s a movement led by them. Every member brings firsthand knowledge of what it’s like to navigate shelters, couch-surf, age out of foster care, or search for stable housing while also trying to finish school or hold down a job. That lived experience is the credential that matters most.

• Founded on peer expertise: YAAB members are recognized as subject-matter experts by Tennessee’s Continuum of Care (CoC) regions, not just participants in someone else’s program.
• Statewide reach: Eight regional YAABs cover Memphis/Shelby, Nashville/Davidson, Knoxville/Knox, Chattanooga/Hamilton, Jackson/West TN, Upper Cumberland, Northeast TN, and additional CoC areas.
• Real decision-making power: Members sit on CoC committees, review funding applications, and advise state and local leaders on policies that directly affect transition-age youth (TAY).

Why Lived Experience Is the Core Qualification

Systems that serve young people often make decisions without young people in the room. YAAB flips that. If you’ve slept somewhere unsafe, stayed with a friend because you had nowhere else to go, or lost stable housing for any reason between ages 17 and 25, your perspective is exactly what policymakers need to hear — and what YAAB is built to amplify.

Research from the National Alliance to End Homelessness consistently shows that youth-led advisory bodies produce more effective, less stigmatizing service models. Tennessee recognized this and embedded YAAB into its official CoC governance structure so that member input carries institutional weight, not just symbolic value.

2. Who Is Eligible to Join YAAB Tennessee?

One of the most common questions young people ask is: Am I eligible? The answer is almost certainly yes if you’re between 17 and 25 and have any history of housing instability in Tennessee. Here’s a clear breakdown of what qualifies.

Age and Experience Requirements

Eligibility is straightforward and intentionally broad so that as many young people as possible can participate:

• Age: You must be between 17 and 25 years old at the time you apply. Some regional YAABs allow members who turn 26 during their term to complete it.
• Lived experience: You must have personal experience with homelessness or housing instability at some point in your life. This includes literal homelessness (shelters, streets, cars), couch-surfing, unstable or unsafe living situations, or aging out of foster care without a stable landing place.
• Tennessee connection: You should live in, or have strong ties to, one of Tennessee’s eight CoC regions.

You do not need to be currently homeless to join. Many YAAB members are in stable housing now — they’re there because they remember what instability felt like and want to prevent it for others.

What About Foster Care Alumni?

Young adults who aged out of Tennessee’s foster care system are strongly encouraged to apply. Foster care alumni represent a significant share of transition-age youth experiencing homelessness nationally — studies estimate that 20–30% of youth who age out of foster care experience homelessness within two to four years of leaving care. YAAB recognizes this overlap and actively welcomes foster care alumni as members whose experience bridges both the child-welfare and homeless-services systems.

If you aged out of foster care in Tennessee and are now between 17 and 25, your dual-system experience is especially valuable for shaping policies that close the gap between foster care exit and stable independent living.

3. Find Your Regional YAAB Across Tennessee

Tennessee is a big state, and YAAB is built to meet young people where they are. Rather than one central office, the network operates through eight regional chapters tied to Tennessee’s official Continuum of Care (CoC) geography. Knowing which region you belong to is the first concrete step toward getting involved.

Tennessee's Eight CoC Regions at a Glance

Tennessee is divided into Continuum of Care regions, each with its own local YAAB. Finding the right one is your first practical step. The eight regions and their primary coverage areas are:

• TN-500 – Chattanooga/Hamilton County
• TN-501 – Memphis/Shelby County
• TN-502 – Knoxville/Knox County
• TN-503 – Nashville/Davidson County
• TN-504 – Northeast Tennessee
• TN-506 – Upper Cumberland
• TN-507 – Jackson/West Tennessee
• TN-509 – Balance of State

Each regional YAAB operates with some autonomy — meeting schedules, application windows, and specific activities vary by region. The local YAABs page on yaabtn.org lists current contacts and details for every region.

What If I'm Between Regions or Recently Moved?

Housing instability often means moving around — you might have stayed in Memphis for a while, then moved to Nashville, or you might be in a rural county that doesn’t feel like it belongs to any single region. Don’t let geography stop you from reaching out. The statewide YAAB network can help you identify the best regional fit or connect you to the Balance of State YAAB (TN-509) if your county isn’t clearly covered by another CoC. Reach out through the YAAB contact page and explain your situation — the team will point you in the right direction.

4. Understand What YAAB Members Actually Do

Knowing what you’re signing up for makes it easier to commit. YAAB membership spans a wide range of activities — from formal policy work to grassroots peer outreach — and the time investment is designed to be realistic for young adults juggling multiple responsibilities.

Policy Advisory and CoC Governance Roles

YAAB members aren’t just consulted — they hold formal seats in Tennessee’s CoC governance structure. Typical responsibilities include:

• Reviewing and scoring funding applications for youth-serving programs
• Attending CoC board and committee meetings as voting or advisory members
• Providing written or verbal testimony to state agencies and legislative committees
• Participating in Point-in-Time (PIT) counts, which are annual surveys that measure homelessness across Tennessee

These aren’t ceremonial roles. When a CoC decides how to allocate federal HUD dollars, YAAB input shapes those decisions — which means member voices directly affect what services exist and who can access them.

Peer Outreach, Education, and Community Projects

Beyond formal governance, YAAB members run peer outreach campaigns, develop educational materials, and lead community projects tailored to their region’s needs. Examples include:

• Creating resource guides for young people leaving shelter or foster care
• Hosting community conversations about mental health, employment, and housing rights
• Partnering with schools, libraries, and community centers to reach isolated youth
• Contributing to statewide reports and media that document youth homelessness in Tennessee

Members also support each other — YAAB functions as a peer community, not just a committee. Many members say the relationships they build inside YAAB are as valuable as any formal outcome they help produce. You can explore current and past projects on the YAAB projects page.

Time Commitment: What to Realistically Expect

Life as a transition-age youth is busy — work, school, parenting, and basic survival all compete for your time. YAAB is designed to accommodate that reality. Most members commit approximately 4 to 8 hours per month, which typically includes one regional meeting (in-person or virtual), occasional subcommittee calls, and any outreach or project work you choose to take on. Leadership roles within YAAB require more time, but standard membership is designed to be accessible even if your schedule is unpredictable.

5. The Benefits of YAAB Membership

Joining YAAB isn’t just about giving back — it’s also about building something for yourself. Membership comes with concrete benefits that support your own stability, growth, and future, alongside the broader impact you’ll have on Tennessee’s systems.

Leadership Skills and Professional Development

YAAB is one of the few spaces in Tennessee where young adults with lived experience of homelessness are explicitly positioned as leaders — not clients. Through membership you can develop:

• Public speaking and testimony skills — presenting to CoC boards, state agencies, and media
• Policy literacy — understanding how HUD funding, CoC governance, and state legislation work
• Project management — planning and executing community outreach events
• Facilitation and peer support — running meetings and supporting fellow members

These are transferable skills that strengthen your resume, college applications, and long-term career prospects — especially in social work, public health, education, and public policy fields.

Stipends, Incentives, and Practical Support

Many regional YAABs offer stipends or incentives for active participation, recognizing that your time has real value. Specific amounts vary by region and available funding, but common supports include meeting stipends (often $25–$75 per meeting attended), transportation assistance or bus passes, meals at in-person meetings, and access to training programs. Some members have also used YAAB participation as documented volunteer or work experience for employment applications and educational programs. Check with your regional YAAB coordinator for current incentive details, as funding cycles change.

Connection to Housing, Employment, and Education Resources

YAAB members are embedded in Tennessee’s service ecosystem, which means they often get early or direct access to resources their peers may not know about — job training programs, rental assistance, GED pathways, mental health services, and more. The YAAB resources page maintains an updated directory of supports available to transition-age youth across Tennessee. Being a member puts you in direct contact with the case managers, CoC staff, and service providers who can connect you to those resources quickly.

6. How to Apply: The Step-by-Step Process

The application process is intentionally simple — YAAB wants to lower barriers, not create new ones. Here’s exactly what to expect from first contact to active membership, broken into clear steps you can take this week.

Step 1 — Identify Your Region and Make First Contact

Visit the local YAABs page on yaabtn.org and identify which of the eight CoC regions covers your area. Each regional page lists a coordinator contact or email. Send a brief message introducing yourself — your name, your age, your general area, and that you’re interested in joining. You don’t need to share your full story in this first message. A simple “I’m 20, I live in Knoxville, and I want to learn more about joining” is enough to get the conversation started.

Step 2 — Attend an Info Session or Orientation

Most regional YAABs host regular info sessions — either in person or via video call — where prospective members can learn about the group, ask questions, and meet current members before committing. These sessions are low-pressure and informal. You’re not being evaluated; you’re being welcomed. Dates and times are often posted on the YAAB events calendar. If no session is currently scheduled, ask your regional coordinator when the next one is or whether you can sit in on a regular meeting as a guest.

Step 3 — Complete the Application

After connecting with your regional YAAB, you’ll be asked to complete a short application. Applications typically ask for:

• Basic contact information and age verification
• A brief description of your lived experience with housing instability (you share only what you’re comfortable sharing)
• Your interest in YAAB — what you hope to contribute and what you hope to gain
• Availability and any scheduling constraints

There is no GPA requirement, no essay exam, and no interview panel. The application is designed to be accessible, not gatekeeping. Most regional YAABs process applications on a rolling basis, meaning you don’t have to wait for a specific enrollment window.

7. What Happens After You Join

Getting accepted is just the beginning. Here’s what your first weeks and months as a YAAB member typically look like, and how you can shape the depth of your involvement over time.

Onboarding and Getting Oriented

New members typically go through a brief onboarding process that covers YAAB’s structure, the CoC system, and how meetings work. Don’t worry if terms like “Continuum of Care,” “HUD,” or “Point-in-Time count” are unfamiliar — you’ll learn them quickly, and more experienced members are there to explain. YAAB is a learning environment as much as a leadership one. Most new members say they felt genuinely welcomed within their first one or two meetings.

Choosing Your Level of Involvement

YAAB membership isn’t one-size-fits-all. You can start by simply attending meetings and listening, then gradually take on more active roles as you get comfortable. Over time, opportunities to step into leadership include:

• Serving as a regional YAAB co-chair or chair
• Representing your regional YAAB on statewide calls or at conferences
• Leading a specific project or outreach campaign
• Mentoring newer members who join after you

There’s no pressure to do everything at once. YAAB respects that stability, school, and work come first — your involvement can flex with your life circumstances.

Staying Connected Across the Statewide Network

One of the less obvious benefits of YAAB membership is the statewide connection. Regional YAABs coordinate with each other, share resources, and occasionally collaborate on joint projects or advocacy campaigns. As a member of your regional YAAB, you’re also part of the broader Tennessee network — which means you can learn what’s working in Chattanooga, share what’s happening in Memphis, and build relationships with young advocates across the state. That network has real value when you’re navigating systems that often don’t talk to each other.

8. YAAB's Role in Tennessee's Continuum of Care System

To fully appreciate what YAAB membership means, it helps to understand the system YAAB operates within. The Continuum of Care is where housing policy decisions get made — and YAAB is Tennessee’s mechanism for making sure young people with lived experience are part of those decisions.

What Is the Continuum of Care and Why Does It Matter?

The Continuum of Care (CoC) is a federally mandated planning and funding structure administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Each CoC region in Tennessee coordinates the local response to homelessness — deciding which programs get funded, how services are delivered, and what data gets collected. In 2023, Tennessee’s CoC regions collectively received over $30 million in annual HUD CoC grants to fund shelters, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and outreach programs.

YAAB members sit inside this structure. When CoC boards make decisions about youth-specific programs, YAAB input is part of the official record — not an afterthought.

How YAAB Shapes Youth-Specific Policy

Transition-age youth (ages 18–24) are one of the fastest-growing subpopulations experiencing homelessness in the United States. HUD’s 2023 Annual Homeless Assessment Report found approximately 35,574 unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness on a single night nationally, with Tennessee’s numbers reflecting regional variation across urban and rural areas. YAAB members help Tennessee’s CoCs respond to this reality by:

• Identifying gaps in youth-specific services that data alone doesn’t capture
• Advocating for lower-barrier shelter options and youth-friendly rapid rehousing programs
• Pushing for trauma-informed, non-punitive program designs
• Ensuring that youth voices are present when funding priorities are set

YAAB Membership vs. Other Youth Engagement Options in Tennessee

Not sure how YAAB compares to other ways of getting involved? This table breaks down key differences across five dimensions so you can make an informed choice.

9. Common Barriers — and How YAAB Addresses Them

We know that “just apply” isn’t always simple when you’re dealing with unstable housing, limited transportation, or anxiety about sharing your story with strangers. Here are the most common concerns young people raise before joining YAAB — and honest answers to each one.

"I Don't Have Reliable Transportation or Internet"

Transportation and connectivity are real barriers for many transition-age youth in Tennessee, especially in rural CoC regions like Upper Cumberland or Northeast Tennessee. YAAB addresses this in several ways:

• Virtual meeting options: Most regional YAABs offer video call participation so you don’t need to travel to every meeting.
• Transportation stipends: Some regions provide bus passes or gas reimbursement for in-person attendance.
• Data assistance: Ask your regional coordinator whether hotspot devices or data support are available — some CoC partners provide these for youth participants.

If transportation or internet access is a barrier for you, say so when you make first contact. YAAB coordinators are used to problem-solving these logistics and won’t judge you for raising it.

"I'm Worried About My Privacy or Immigration Status"

YAAB does not require members to share more personal information than they’re comfortable with. You are never required to disclose the full details of your housing history, family situation, or immigration status to participate. Regional coordinators are bound by confidentiality practices consistent with their CoC’s privacy policies. If you have specific concerns about privacy or documentation requirements, reach out to your regional coordinator directly before applying — they can walk you through exactly what information is and isn’t required.

"I've Never Done Anything Like This Before"

Most YAAB members had zero experience with advocacy, policy, or formal meetings before they joined. That’s normal and expected. YAAB provides training, mentorship from more experienced members, and a supportive environment where asking questions is encouraged. The only prerequisite is your lived experience and your willingness to show up. Everything else — the policy knowledge, the public speaking, the facilitation skills — comes with time and practice inside the network.

10. YAAB vs. Other Youth Programs in Tennessee

Tennessee has a range of programs for young adults experiencing homelessness or instability. Understanding how YAAB fits into that landscape — and how it’s different — helps you decide whether it’s the right fit for you right now.

How YAAB Differs from Traditional Service Programs

Most programs for transition-age youth in Tennessee are designed to serve young people — providing housing, case management, job training, or counseling. YAAB is different: it’s designed to empower young people to shape those very programs. You’re not a client of YAAB; you’re a member, an advisor, and a leader. This distinction matters because it changes the power dynamic entirely. Instead of receiving services, you’re helping decide what services exist, how they’re designed, and who can access them.

That said, YAAB membership doesn’t prevent you from also accessing services. Many members simultaneously receive housing support, employment assistance, or education resources while also serving as YAAB members — the two roles are compatible and often mutually reinforcing.

Complementary Programs Worth Knowing About

YAAB works alongside — not instead of — other programs serving transition-age youth in Tennessee. Complementary resources include Tennessee’s Independent Living programs for foster care alumni (available through the Department of Children’s Services), local rapid rehousing programs funded through CoC grants, workforce development programs like Tennessee Reconnect and American Job Centers, and GED pathways through Tennessee’s Adult Education network. YAAB members often serve as connectors between these programs and the young people who need them — another reason that membership benefits both you and your community.

11. Voices from the YAAB Network

Data and policy language can only go so far. Here’s what the experience of YAAB membership actually looks and feels like, based on what members across Tennessee’s regions consistently report.

What Members Say About the Experience

Across Tennessee’s eight regional YAABs, members consistently highlight a few themes when describing what membership has meant to them:

• Being taken seriously: Many members describe YAAB as the first space where adults in positions of power genuinely listened to their perspective and acted on it.
• Building confidence: Public speaking, facilitation, and advocacy work build skills that members carry into jobs, school, and other areas of life.
• Finding community: The peer relationships inside YAAB — with people who share similar experiences — reduce isolation and provide a genuine support network.
• Seeing real change: Members point to specific policy changes, program improvements, and resource expansions that YAAB input helped produce as evidence that the work matters.

The Bigger Picture: Why Youth Voice Changes Systems

Research from the Corporation for Supportive Housing and other national organizations consistently finds that youth advisory bodies produce better program outcomes when they hold genuine decision-making authority — not just advisory roles. Tennessee’s investment in YAAB reflects a growing recognition that the people closest to a problem are often closest to the solution. When a 22-year-old who has navigated Memphis’s shelter system tells a CoC board what’s working and what isn’t, that testimony carries an authority that no consultant’s report can replicate. YAAB is how Tennessee puts that principle into practice — and you can be part of it. Learn more about how YAAB understands and responds to youth homelessness in Tennessee.

Ready to Join? Your Next Move Starts Here

If you’ve read this far, you already know more about YAAB than most young people in Tennessee. Now it’s time to turn that knowledge into action. Here’s exactly how to move forward — this week, not someday.

Take the First Step This Week

You don’t need to have everything figured out before you reach out. You don’t need a polished story, a perfect schedule, or prior experience in advocacy. You need to be between 17 and 25, have some lived experience with housing instability, and be willing to show up. That’s it. The regional YAAB coordinators across Tennessee are ready to hear from you — whether you’re in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Jackson, or anywhere in between.

The single most important thing you can do right now is visit the YAAB membership page and start your application — it takes less than 15 minutes and could open doors you didn’t know existed.

Stay Connected with YAAB Tennessee

Even if you’re not ready to apply today, you can stay connected with what YAAB is doing across Tennessee. Follow YAAB’s advocacy work, read about current projects, and check the events calendar for upcoming info sessions and meetings. When the timing is right for you, YAAB will be there. Tennessee’s systems need your voice — and YAAB is how you make sure that voice gets heard where it matters most.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I join Youth Action Board Tennessee if I'm 17?

Yes, YAAB accepts members starting at age 17. You'll follow the same process as any other applicant — identify your regional YAAB, make first contact with the coordinator, attend an info session, and complete the short application. Some regions may have parental consent requirements for members under 18, so ask your regional coordinator about any age-specific steps.

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

No. You need to have lived experience of homelessness or housing instability at some point in your life, but you do not need to be currently homeless. Many YAAB members are in stable housing now and use their past experience to help improve systems for others.

Is there a deadline to apply to YAAB Tennessee?

Most regional YAABs accept applications on a rolling basis, meaning there's no single annual deadline. You can apply at any time. Check with your regional YAAB coordinator for current openings, as some regions may have capacity limits at certain times of year.

What if I aged out of foster care — can I still join YAAB?

Absolutely. Foster care alumni are strongly encouraged to apply and are a valued part of the YAAB network. Your experience navigating both the child-welfare and housing systems is especially relevant to the policy work YAAB does.

Does YAAB Tennessee offer any financial support or stipends to members?

Many regional YAABs offer meeting stipends, typically ranging from $25 to $75 per meeting attended, along with transportation assistance and meals at in-person events. Specific amounts vary by region and available funding — ask your regional coordinator for current details.

How is YAAB different from just volunteering somewhere?

YAAB members hold formal advisory and governance roles within Tennessee's Continuum of Care system, meaning their input directly shapes funding decisions and program design — not just task completion. It's a leadership and advocacy role, not a traditional volunteer position, and it comes with training, stipends, and a statewide peer network.