Our Story

 The District 1 Youth Advisory Board was founded in 2022 by Ahmad Perez to address the pressing issue of youth disengagement in community affairs.

 

Ahmad believed that young people in his hometown of Brentwood were not being given enough opportunities to participate in civic life and have their voices heard in matters that affected them. This lack of engagement had a significant negative impact on the community, as youth perspectives and ideas were not being considered in policy decisions - despite Ahmad's generation inheriting these very same policies.

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Following the creation of the Youth Advisory Board, an election was held to form the leadership body of the organization. Over 150 members of the community participated and elected our inaugural executive leadership team, composed of four diverse, young, and powerful community leaders:

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- Chair Joshua Chan

- Vice Chair Destiny Eusebio

- Outreach Chair Nathaly Cordova

- Vice Outreach Chair Jason Campos

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Brentwood, Central Islip, and North Bay Shore are communities that have been historically marginalized and are facing a multitude of social issues. These issues are prevalent in these communities and have a significant impact on the residents' quality of life. In response to these challenges, the District 1 Youth Advisory Board has been working diligently to empower young people in these communities to take an active role in shaping the future of their communities.

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Now, the District 1 Youth Advisory Board has become a respected voice in the community, advocating for issues such as environmental justice, community development, and more opportunities for young residents. As a result of their work as an organization, there has been an increase in youth engagement in community affairs, and more young people are participating in civic life and having their voices heard in matters that affect them.