Hope for the City - Southfield Foundation Youth Advisory Council

• Increase civic engagement: Foster youth participation in cultivating future leaders and

active citizens.

• Promote community involvement: Facilitate youth-led initiatives that benefit the

The Southfield community addresses local needs.

• Enhance youth education: Offer valuable experiences in leadership, teamwork,

philanthropy, public speaking, and community problem-solving.

• Build positive relationships: Bridge the gap between youth, community leaders, and

elected officials.

Planning Team & Advisory Board Members:

  • Cherryl R. Thames, Chairperson, Foundation Board of Directors

  • Charles Harris, Co-Chair, Foundation Board of Directors

  • Samuel Adeleye (MDYC) Youth Representative

  • Madison Eason (SUA JOI Club) Youth Representative

  • Sophia Wu (First Aid Onsite Foundation*) Youth Representative

  • Tianjie (Tommy) Zhu (First Aid Onsite) Youth Representative

  • Ethan Zhang (First Aid Onsite) Youth Representative

Advisory Board:

  • Councilwoman Yolanda Haynes, City of Southfield – City Council

  • Professor Ty Faulkner, LTU-College of Arts & Sciences

Youth Advisory Council

Work With Us

‍ JOIN OUR YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL TODAY!

‍ Youth Advisory Council Application Process

The Hope for the City Southfield Youth Advisory Council empowers young leaders to make

a meaningful impact in their community. Members collaborate to identify issues affecting

local youth and develop initiatives to address them.

Responsibility of a Council Member

● Attend prescheduled meetings

● Identify issues affecting youth in the community

● Develop solutions and promote awareness

● Plan local events

● Improve leadership and communication skills

Eligibility Requirements

● Teenagers and young adults ages 14-21 living in the greater Southfield area

Application Guidelines:

Instead of a traditional application form, we have guidelines for you to make a CV

to submit. This way, you have some creative freedom and can show who you are

and what you do. We also ask that you submit a letter of recommendation from a

teacher, counselor, advisor, or community representative.

What to Include in Your CV:

● Full name

● Email address

● Education (school, graduation year, GPA)

Example: University Academy, Class of 2023, GPA: 3.8

● Extracurricular activities (activity, years involved, achievements)

Example: Soccer – 5 years; top team in competitive club; 1-time State Cup Champion

● Awards (name and placement)

Example: Optimist Essay Contest – 2nd Place, Michigan District

● Volunteering and community service (organization, role, hours)

Example: Henry Ford Hospital – 100 hours assisting with clerical work and patient support

● About Me (1 paragraph)

Include why you’re a good fit, your values, goals, and interests. Recommendation Letter

● State your relationship to the applicant and the length of acquaintance

● Provide specific examples rather than general praise

● Include a quantitative comparison to peers (e.g., “top 5% of students in my 20 years of teaching”)

● Explain why you recommend the applicant

How To Apply

To apply, email your CV and a letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor,

advisor, or community representative to hopesouthfieldfoundation@gmail.com by

Monday, June 8, 2026.

Timeline

• May 8: Applications open

• June 8: Deadline to submit applications by 11:59 pm EST

• May – June: Application reviews and interviews with select candidates

• June: Council members notified of selection

• July/August: Inaugural Council meeting & orientation