Youth Advisory Council

Who knows Children's better than patients? As members of YAC we draw on our experiences to help Children's be the best place possible for kids.

YAC is a dedicated group of patients, ages 10 to 18, offering practical ideas on how to help Children's focus even more closely on the special needs of children and teens. They eagerly voice their opinions, from choices of food on the hospital menu to how they want adults at Children's to relate to them.

See what members say about their experience on YAC.

We're Making a Difference

We take seriously our role of representing other patients. We're eager to find opportunities to talk with patients and staff to let them know about the council's role. Here are some of the projects we're currently working on:

Improving technology available to patients, such as a broader selection of TV channels, DVDs, and electronic games, and improved Internet access
Making it easier to order food from the menu
Providing education from the patient perspective to residents, medical students, and managers
Giving our feedback on design projects

Meetings and Membership

YAC meets once a month between September and May. Meetings are for two hours. We alternate meetings on the Children's - Minneapolis and Children's - St. Paul campuses.

For information on joining YAC, call child life at (612) 813-6259 or (651) 220-6465.

Applications are accepted though August 2013. YAC Application (PDF)

Share Your Ideas

Help us better represent all patients at Children's! Tell us about a positive experience, or something that could be made better. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Member Profiles

Ally

Ally is in 8th grade. She enjoys swimming, reading, drawing, and anything related to dogs. In fact, she was so inspired by the Therapy Dog teams at Children's, that she is currently training her own dog for therapy work. After spending a lot of time at Children's, Ally hopes to help make Children's a better place for the children who have to visit here.

Aly

Aly is a high school junior this year. She is on the dance team at her high school. Aly likes to hang out with friends and bake. She joined the Youth Advisory Council because she had such a great experience at Children's when her brother and sister were in the hospital. "Everyone was so nice and helpful." Aly wants to help everyone to have that same experience.

Daniela

Daniela is in 9th grade this year. She is athletic and enjoys basketball, soccer and loves science. Daniela joined the Youth Advisory Council to help Children's be a better place for children to stay when they need to come to the hospital.

Espen

Espen is a 6th grade student and unicyclist in Circus Juventas. He speaks German and Norweigian (in addition to English!), and likes to draw and read. "I want to help make a stay at the hospital more enjoyable for others."

Hannah

Jacob

Jacob is in 12th grade this year. He enjoy Legos and collecting cards. Jacob loves playing video games and hanging out with friends. He enjoys baseball and hockey. Jacob joined the Youth Advisory Council because he wanted to help kids in need in the hospital. He has a lot of experience as a patient here and wants to make it better for future patients. "I want to make sure the kids here have a fun time."

Jacob's favorite quotes from his life are: "Work hard, play hard." and also, "Always look look at your glass half full and not half empty."

Katelyn

Katelyn is a senior in high school. She enjoys soccer, basketball, and loves to read. Katelyn is involved with Student Council. She is the president of the National Honor Society at her school. She is also part of Student Mentors. Katelyn also started a foundation called Blankets for a Brighter Day that provides blankets for patients at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota in Minneapolis. "I joined the Youth Advisory Council so I could help make other patients stays a little more fun, and less stressful."

Mark

Mark is in 12th grade and enjoy watching football and baseball. He is also interested in medical careers. "I joined the Youth Advisory Council to make Children's a better hospital for everyone who comes here." Mark's favorite quotes in his life were :"The only place where success comes before work, is in the dictionary" and "Live every day on this earth like it's your last." as well as "When life gives you lemons, you make apple juice. This quote doesn't make sense and neither does life."

Mason

Mason is 13 years old and attends Central Middle School in Eden Prairie. He has been in a Spanish Immersion program for the past 7 years. He wanted to be part of the Youth Advisory Council to share the sibling perspective of care at Children's. His little sister Katie, was born extremely prematurely. She wieghed just 1 pound and was hospitalized for 99 days. Mason is in his 2nd year with YAC and enjoys making a positive difference for patients and families served at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. I also did my Eagle project for Scouts at Children's Hospital.

Mike

Mike is in the 9th grade this year. His interests and hobbies include magic, engineering, and golf. Mike joined the Youth Advisory Council to help make the hospital a less scary place for kids. Mike's favorite quote when he was in the hospital was "Tough times never last, but tough people do!!!" also, "Hey watch the hair-do, BALD IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!"

Oliver

Oliver is in 9th grade this year. He plays soccer and would like to try lacrosse. Oliver likes video games and living life on the edge. "I joined the Youth Advisory Council to make the hospital a more comfortable place to stay."

Olivia

Olivia is a junior this year! Her hobbies include playing adaptive soccer, floor hockey and softball. Olivia loves hanging out with my friends and family. "I joined the Youth Advisory Council because I've spent a lot of time in the hospital and I wanted to make it better for everyone else who comes here to Children's."

Sophiya

Tafari

Tafari is in 8th grade. He likes to read Greek mythology. Tafari is in his school's choir and is in the National Junior Honor Society. "I'm looking forward to sharing my ideas with the hospital."

Taly

Taly is 14 and from Roseville. She is in 8th grade this year. Taly loves science, tennis, and theater. Her favorite smell is a newly opened can of tennis balls! "It means a lot to me to be part of the Youth Advisory Council. I want everyone to have the best stay possible! When I can help by sharing about my time spent here it makes me very happy to dedicate my time here. I want everyone to see Children's and think of it as the only place they would want to take their child. I believe that the Youth Advisory Council helps make that happen.

Will

Will is in 10th grade. He enjoys playing soccer and basketball as well as tennis after school. He also plays Ultimate Frisbee!!! Will joined the Youth Advisory Council to be part of a group to help other people.

Yesica

Yesica is in 6th grade this year. She really likes to write poetry and dance. Yesica enjoys volunteering here at Children's and other hospitals to help children in need. She joined the Youth Advisory Council because it sounded fun and she wanted to give back to the children here.

Ally is in 8th grade. She enjoys swimming, reading, drawing, and
anything related to dogs. In fact, she was so inspired by the
Therapy Dog teams at Children's, that she is currently training her
own dog fortherapy work. After spending a lot of time at Children's,
Ally hopes to help make Children's a better place for the children
who have to visit here.

Aly is a high school junior this year. She is on the dance team
at her high school. Aly likes to hang out with friends and bake.
She joined the Youth Advisory Council because she had such a
great experience at Children's when her brother and sister were
in the hospital. "Everyone was so nice and helpful." Aly wants to
help everyone to have that same experience.

Daniela is in 9th grade this year. She is athletic and enjoys
basketball, soccer and loves science. Daniela joined the
Youth Advisory Council to help Children's be a better place
for children to stay when they need to come to the hospital.

Espen is a 6th grade student and unicyclist in Circus Juventas.
He speaks German and Norweigian (in addition to English!),
and likes to draw and read. "I want to help make a stay at
the hospital more enjoyable for others."

Jacob is in 12th grade this year. He enjoy Legos and collecting
cards. Jacob loves playing video games and hanging out with
friends. He enjoys baseball and hockey. Jacob joined the
Youth Advisory Council because he wanted to help kids in need
in the hospital. He has a lot of experience as a patient here and
wants to make it better for future patients. "I want to make sure
the kids here have a fun time." Jacob's favorite quotes from his
life are: "Work hard, play hard." and also, "Always look look at
your glass half full and not half empty."

Katelyn is a senior in high school. She enjoys soccer, basketball,
and loves to read. Katelyn is involved with Student Council.
She is the president of the National Honor Society at her school.
She is also part of Student Mentors. Katelyn also started a
foundation called Blankets for a Brighter Day that provides
blankets for patients at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of
Minnesota in Minneapolis. "I joined the Youth Advisory Council
so I could help make other patients stays a little more fun,
and less stressful."

Mark is in 12th grade and enjoy watching football and baseball.
He is also interested in medical careers. "I joined the Youth
Advisory Council to make Children's a better hospital for everyone
who comes here." Mark's favorite quotes in his life are: "The only
place where success comes before work, is in the dictionary" and
"Live every day on this earth like it's your last." as well as "When
life gives you lemons, you make apple juice. This quote doesn't
make sense and neither does life."

Mason is 13 years old and attends Central Middle School in
Eden Prairie. He has been in a Spanish Immersion program for the
past 7 years. He wanted to be part of the Youth Advisory Council to
share the sibling perspective of care at Children's. His little sister
Katie, was born extremely prematurely. She weighed just 1 pound and
was hospitalized for 99 days. Mason is in his 2nd year with YAC and
enjoys making a positive difference for patients and families served
at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. I also did my Eagle
project for Scouts at Children's Hospital.

Mike is in the 9th grade this year. His interests and hobbies
include magic, engineering, and golf. Mike joined the Youth
Advisory Council to help make the hospital a less scary place
for kids. Mike's favorite quote when he was in the hospital
was "Tough times never last, but tough people do!!!" also,
"Hey watch the hair-do, BALD IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!"

Oliver is in 9th grade this year. He plays soccer and would like to
try lacrosse. Oliver likes video games and living life on the edge.
"I joined the Youth Advisory Council to make the hospital a more
comfortable place to stay."

Olivia is a junior this year! Her hobbies include playing adaptive
soccer, floor hockey and softball. Olivia loves hanging out with
my friends and family. "I joined the Youth Advisory Council
because I've spent a lot of time in the hospital and I wanted to
make it better for everyone else who comes here to Children's."

Tafari is in 8th grade. He likes to read Greek mythology. Tafari is
in his school's choir and is in the National Junior Honor Society.
"I'm looking forward to sharing my ideas with the hospital."

Taly is 14 and from Roseville. She is in 8th grade this year.
Taly loves science, tennis, and theater. Her favorite smell is a
newly opened can of tennis balls! "It means a lot to me to be
part of the Youth Advisory Council. I want everyone to have
the best stay possible! When I can help by sharing about my
time spent here it makes me very happy to dedicate my time
here. I want everyone to see Children's and think of it as the
only place they would want to take their child. I believe that
the Youth Advisory Council helps make that happen.

Will is in 10th grade. He enjoys playing soccer and basketball
as well as tennis after school. He also plays Ultimate Frisbee!!!
Will joined the Youth Advisory Council to be part of a group
to help other people.

Yesica is in 6th grade this year. She really likes to write
poetry and dance. Yesica enjoys volunteering here at
Children's and other hospitals to help children in need.
She joined the Youth Advisory Council because it sounded
fun and she wanted to give back to the children here.

Ally is in 8th grade. She enjoys swimming, reading, drawing, and
anything related to dogs. In fact, she was so inspired by the
Therapy Dog teams at Children's, that she is currently training her
own dog for therapy work. After spending a lot of time at Children's,
Ally hopes to help make Children's a better place for the children
who have to visit here.