Youth Ambassador Program
You're Not Expected to Arrive Ready. Just Willing.
Seen & Heard's Youth Ambassador Program is the civic ambassador program for young people ages 15–25 who are ready to move from caring about policy to shaping it, with the advocacy training, community, and organizational support to make that transition real.
Real Roles in Real Policy Spaces
Youth ambassadors carry Seen & Heard's policy positions into their schools, communities, and states, backed by organizational training and support. This is a program with genuine public-facing responsibilities for participants who are prepared to take them on.
What ambassadors do:
- Represent Seen & Heard's positions at school board meetings, community forums, and local and state advocacy convenings.
- Lead issue-specific campaigns in their home states across Seen & Heard's three policy pillars: Health & Safety, Education, and Joy.
- Participate in policy briefings and advocacy sessions organized by Seen & Heard and partner organizations.
- Build toward the Fellows Program through demonstrated advocacy engagement and sustained organizational participation.
Training First. Then the Doors Open.
Every ambassador completes Seen & Heard's youth advocacy training program before taking on any public-facing role. The curriculum covers civic communication, policy basics, how state and federal processes work, and how to represent Seen & Heard's positions accurately and effectively in any civic environment.
The preparation is not ceremonial. Ambassadors engage in real policy spaces, and Seen & Heard's responsibility is to make sure they are equipped for what they encounter there.
How to Become a Youth Ambassador
The Ambassador Program is open to young people ages 15–25. There are no experience prerequisites. Commitment to the work is the criterion.
Step 1: Begin With Heard Hub
If you're new to Seen & Heard, Heard Hub is the starting point. It provides the civic education foundation and organizational context that makes ambassador participation more effective, and current Heard Hub members are the first to receive Ambassador Program recruitment outreach.
Step 2: Submit an Expression of Interest
Applications and expressions of interest are reviewed on a rolling basis. Use the Get Involved form to indicate interest in the Ambassador Program, or reach out directly at info@seenandheard.us. Include your home state, any prior advocacy or civic experience, and a brief statement of what you want to work on.
Step 3: Complete Ambassador Onboarding
Selected participants complete a structured onboarding sequence covering Seen & Heard's policy positions, advocacy training curriculum, and the organizational expectations for the ambassador role. Onboarding is virtual and accessible regardless of location.
Where the Ambassador Program Leads
The Youth Ambassador Program is the second tier of Seen & Heard's engagement ladder, positioned between Herd Hub and the Fellows Program. It is where young people develop the practical advocacy skills and organizational record that positions them for deeper engagement.
Ambassadors who demonstrate sustained commitment and advocacy involvement are the primary pipeline for the Fellows Program, which provides direct access to state and national policy processes and is the principal pathway to Youth Board membership.
Passion Plus Infrastructure Equals Change.
Seen & Heard exists to give young people the organizational infrastructure to make their advocacy land. The Ambassador Program is where that infrastructure meets individual commitment. If you're ready to show up, we're ready to train you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Prospective Ambassadors Ask Most
What is a youth ambassador program for advocacy?
A youth advocacy ambassador program trains young people to represent an organization's policy positions in real civic spaces: community forums, school board meetings, state-level advocacy events, and public-facing campaigns. At Seen & Heard, ambassadors complete structured training before any public engagement and have organizational support throughout their participation.
How do I become a youth ambassador at a nonprofit?
Start with Herd Hub if you're new to Seen & Heard, then submit an expression of interest through the Get Involved page. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and there are no prior experience requirements. Commitment and willingness to engage are the criteria.
Is the youth ambassador program open to ages 15–25?
Yes. Seen & Heard's Ambassador Program is open to young people ages 15–25 with no prior civic or advocacy experience required. The program is designed to meet participants where they are and build the skills they need through structured training before any public-facing role begins.
What is the time commitment for the Youth Ambassador Program?
The Ambassador Program is designed for sustained participation, not a single event. Specific commitments vary by participant and state, but ambassadors are expected to participate in training, engage in advocacy activities in their home states, and maintain active organizational involvement. All roles include virtual components and are accessible regardless of location.