O‘ahu Youth Action Board (OYAB)
The Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) requires the establishment of a Youth Action Board. The OYAB is an important way the community can leverage youth input in meaningful ongoing way. OYAB also empowers youth by providing opportunities for positive development, youth choice, confidence-building, and leadership.
The O‘ahu Youth Action Board was formed in March 2017 and is made up of members all of whom are age 29 or below and 2/3 of which have experienced homelessness/housing instability.
The youth come from different situations, experiences, and represent various sub-populations such as: Native Hawaiian, Micronesian, LGBTQ+, Former Military, Parenting, Working and Children of Homeless Families.
Mission
OYAB makes sure that youth who are homeless, or who have experienced homelessness, are part of making decisions on things that impact us, including what services and supports should look like. The youth who serve on OYAB will respect that they have a responsibility to participate and make sure youth voices are loud and clear – with us not for us!
Vision
There are no youth sleeping in tents on sidewalks or sleeping in parks on O’ahu. Youth are safe, have a roof over their head, and are not exposed to violence or exploration. If youth become homeless, it is a temporary situation because there is a well-run system in place to help them get out of homelessness- as soon as they are ready and want help.
