Apply at www.youthatthecenter.org/fellowship

What: This is a paid Fellowship for young people who want to speak up, be heard, and help shape a better future for youth in the Greater Cincinnati area. As a Fellow, you’ll be part of HEY! (Hopeful Empowered Youth), a 10-year plan focused on enhancing youth mental health, well-being, and growth opportunities. You’ll help drive key aspects of this plan forward while also developing your own skills, confidence, and career experience.

Ages: 14 - 24 with differentiated roles & responsibilities as outlined below:

Youth Fellows

Support research projects and participate in fellowship activities—28-week opportunity

Numbers: We are seeking approximately 25 Fellows

Duration: October 2026 - May 2027

Applicant Demographics: Young people aged 14-24 in the Greater Cincinnati region are invited to apply. The 10-year strategy is designed to improve support for all youth in the region with a focus on those who are facing the most significant barriers from the current system: Black and Brown youth, LGBTQ+ youth, and systems-involved youth (involvement with child welfare, foster care, and the juvenile justice system). We are seeking youth who can share their lived experiences. Returning fellows are encouraged to apply again. (Please note: higher expectations will be placed on returning fellows in terms of leadership, engagement, and contribution to group outcomes.)

Hours per month: up to 28 hours per month (up to seven hours per week)

●      Monday meetings(2.5 hrs each) 

●      Up to 4.5hrs/per week for outside work

Rate: $18/hr- Youth Fellow

Support Team: HEY! Program managers & Youth At The Center

Application Details

Application opens: August 10, 2026

Application & Info Session Information: www.youthatthecenter.org/fellowship

Application Deadline: August 10, 2025

Meeting Locations/Timing

The Fellowship will begin in October. Fellows will meet regularly on Monday evenings from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the Youth At The Center Office (downtown at 500 Reading Rd, 45202).

Food is provided for Fellows at Monday meetings.

Transportation:

We ask that Fellows reliably attend and return from weekly meetings and other in-person events, such as trainings, community events, or youth summits. We know that transportation can be challenging, so we do offer transportation support when needed. Metro bus passes are available, as well as Uber rides, which can be provided in special circumstances. These resources aren't intended for regular or daily use and should only be utilized when other transportation options are unavailable.

Timeline:

August 10: Application Opens

August 18: Virtual Info Session

August 31: Application Deadline

September 7-20: Interviews

September 25: Notification

Oct 1: Orientation (Virtual)

Oct 5: Fellows Launch - In person

Group Projects/Focus Areas

HEY! current

●      HEY! Social Media

●      Community and Caregivers Working Group

●      Treatment Working Group

●      Schools Working Group

●      Data Working Group

What else will Fellows be doing?

In addition to the Group Projects/focus areas, Fellows will:

●      Provide feedback and perspectives to help move the broader HEY! initiative forward, particularly informing the work of the Steering Committee and Workgroups

●      Receive skill development and support at weekly meetings

●      Make recommendations to ensure mental health systems are youth-centered

●      Be invited to engage in opportunities for personal and professional development through coaching, training, and hands-on experiences

●      Have Public Speaking & Advocacy opportunities to share findings with stakeholders/key players

●      Participate in data collection to ensure as many youth voices are included in the process as possible

Fellows will also be asked to attend a fellowship bonding retreat:

●      All Fellows will participate in a 24-48 hour overnight retreat focused on team building, bonding, and leadership development.

●      This will be an opportunity to connect with your peers, build trust, and have fun all while learning new skills.

●      Youth must be comfortable spending a night or two away from their guardians. More details will be shared in advance of the retreat.

●      During the retreat, the goals for youth are to participate in:

○      Team building and trust-building activities

○      Mental health conversations

○      Youth-led goal setting for the upcoming Fellowship

○      Fun, relaxing, and informal conversations

Key Qualities

While each Fellow will bring their own background, beliefs, and experiences to share, Fellows should possess these key qualities:

●      Interest in creating a healthier community for young people

●      Promoting resources and qualities that support youth well-being

●      A flexible schedule that allows for regular participation in meetings and events

●      Willingness to engage in courageous conversations around mental health, stigma, historical inequities, and more

●      Ability to engage with peers and community members

●      Desire to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with other Fellows

Opportunities for Training and Skill Development

Fellows will develop their skills and be equipped with the knowledge to aid their efforts in continuing to implement the strategy, including:

●     Community Building

●     Understanding Leadership Styles

●     Identifying Strengths

●     Project Planning/Event Planning

●     Conflict Management/Giving & Receiving Feedback

●     Effective Communication/Public Speaking

●     Asset-Based Community Engagement/Asset Mapping

●     Grounding in Community Research Practices: Youth-Led Programs and Youth Participatory Action Research

●     Organizing through Collective Impact