Youth Voice Matters

Applications are now open for the 2023 Youth Opportunity Project! 

The Youth Opportunity Project aims to provide students the opportunity to gain leadership skills, network with peers and key-decision makers while helping to create meaningful change and impact in out-of-school time programming throughout the state.

Participants are South Dakota teens ages 13 and older who attend out-of-school time programs in their communities. They have first-hand experience regarding the impact these programs have made in their own lives, the lives of their families and community. Through monthly virtual meetings participants will provide a youth voice to a variety of issues faced. Students will work on building leadership skills and explore advocacy through interactions during Day at the Capitol mid-January in Pierre where students will have the opportunity to learn about our state’s legislative system and the many moving parts that create change and impact.

Sample Schedule for 2023 Youth Opportunity Project:

July 21: Application Deadline

August 4: Groups Participants Announced

September 9: First session (virtual)

September 23/30: Individual Mentoring Sessions (virtual)

October 14: Second session (virtual)

November 18: Third session (virtual)

 December 2/9: Individual Mentoring Sessions (virtual)

December 15: Announcement of youth participating in the Student Panel at Children’s Day at the Capitol

January 24-25: Children’s Day at the Capitol in Pierre

February: Fourth Session (virtual)

Teens in the 2022 participants:

• Shaylee Arrendondo, Sioux Falls
• Amy Barillas, Sioux Falls
• Olivia Kolbrek, Sioux Falls
• Caleb Messhesha, Sioux Falls
• Yusuf Mire, Sioux Falls
• Lily Pressler, Watertown
• Liza Purdy, Summit
• Jaxon Sheff, Montrose
• Ella Weber, Montrose