Individuals with lived experience actively guide and influence the initiatives of the CoC Implementation Structure (CoC IS). This involvement is facilitated through structured meetings organized by the Lived Experience Commission (LEC) and Youth Action Board (YAB), where participants assume crucial roles across the Chicago CoC. Both the LEC and YAB feature well-defined decision-making structures and membership responsibilities, including representatives who serve on the CoC Board. Support for their endeavors is provided by All Chicago Staff.
Lived Experience Commission (LEC)
The Lived Experience Commission (LEC) is a collaborative and transparent community of individuals and families who have experienced homelessness, are currently homeless, or are at risk of becoming homeless. Members of the LEC, as noted in the Chicago Continuum of Care (CoC) Charter, are also individuals who are receiving or have received services from Chicago’s homeless system. The LEC’s mission is to advise on funding processes and other CoC decisions that impact homeless prevention, services, and systems.
The purpose of the LEC is to empower all homeless individuals, families, and those at risk of homelessness living in the City of Chicago to use their voices to intentionally improve and challenge those systems that directly impact the housing and services they receive.
Membership
The LEC seeks to create a collegial space for all individuals who self-identify as formerly, currently, or at risk of being homeless. The LEC’s meetings are open to anyone who identifies as being a person of lived experience. To learn more about the LEC or to join, please reach out to the CoC Programs Team at cocprograms@allchicago.org.
Benefits of Becoming a Member:
- Building connections through networking
- A stipend for your participation
- Exclusive invitations to community events
- Opportunities to join various committees and workgroups
How to Become a Member:
Step 1: Contact the CoC Programs Team at cocprograms@allchicago.org or call 312-379-0301 to state your interest in joining the LEC
Step 2: Attend three LEC monthly meetings within 120 days from your first meeting
Step 3: Attend an onboarding meeting with two CoC Executive Committee members
Step 4: Current LEC members vote to appoint you as a member
Youth Action Board (YAB)
The Chicago Youth Action Board (YAB) is a group of young leaders with lived experience of homelessness or housing instability who work together to create change for youth across Chicago.
YAB members use their experiences, ideas, and leadership skills to improve programs, policies, and systems that impact young people experiencing homelessness. As experts through lived experience, YAB members ensure that youth voices are included in decisions that affect their lives and communities.
The YAB, as leaders within the Youth Line of Action, serves as the youth advisory body for Chicago’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP). The YAB plays a key role in decision-making and monitoring the implementation of YHDP projects and of the Coordinated Community Plan.
What Does the YAB Do?
YAB members have opportunities to:
- Influence policies, programs, and services that affect youth experiencing homelessness
- Advise community organizations, system leaders, and decision-makers
- Participate in leadership development and professional growth opportunities
- Engage in public speaking, presentations, and advocacy efforts
- Collaborate with other young leaders from across Chicago
- Help recruit and mentor future YAB members
- Build skills in communication, teamwork, leadership, and systems change
- Create lasting impact for youth experiencing homelessness and unstable housing
Membership
YAB members serve on a board of approximately 10-12 young leaders who meet regularly to discuss issues affecting youth experiencing homelessness and to develop recommendations for improving the system.
Members bring their lived experience, unique perspectives, and leadership to conversations with community organizations, governmental agencies, and other partners working to prevent and end youth homelessness.
Qualifications
To be eligible for the YAB, applicants must:
- Be between the ages of 17 and 24
- Have current or former experience with homelessness or housing instability
- Receive a recommendation from a youth-serving organization – Not required but encouraged.
Compensation & Support
YAB members receive:
- A stipend for participation which includes:
- Transportation assistance
- Childcare support for members with children
- Onboarding and support from dedicated adult allies
Additional Benefits
YAB members also can:
- Connect with young people from across Chicago
- Gain professional and leadership experience
- Build their resumes and career-readiness skills
- Participate in trainings, workshops, and special opportunities
- Strengthen public speaking and advocacy skills
- Make a meaningful impact in the community
- Help create a future where all young people have access to safe and stable housing
YAB Charter
The YAB Charter serves as the guiding document for the Chicago Youth Action Board. It outlines the board’s purpose, values, membership expectations, leadership structure, decision-making processes, and responsibilities. The Charter helps ensure that YAB members, adult allies, and community partners share a common understanding of how the board operates and works toward creating systems change for youth experiencing homelessness.
View the YAB Charter
Want to partner with the YAB?
Submit an Engage with the YAB request to connect with board members for presentations, feedback, advisory opportunities, and other collaborations.
Complete the Engage with the YAB Form
The Chicago Youth Action Board partners with organizations, community groups, government agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure youth voices are included in discussions, planning, and decision-making. If you are interested in collaborating with the YAB, requesting youth input on a project, inviting members to speak at an event, or exploring partnership opportunities, please complete the Engage with the YAB form above.
YAB members may be available for presentations, panel discussions, advisory opportunities, program feedback, community engagement activities, and other projects that benefit from youth expertise and lived experience.
