By Bella Sullivan, Marketing and Events Coordinator

Molly Mathis, one of NYLC’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) mentors, has been engaged in service-learning since the sixth grade. When her high-school counselor sent out information about joining NYLC’s YAC, she knew that this was her opportunity to learn more about what it means to be a young leader. The YAC embodies the National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC)’s commitment to fostering authentic youth voice and leadership, as young people are empowered to become service-learning trainers, builders of community, champions of NYLC, board members, and more.

Molly has always been deeply engaged in her community, participating in traditional leadership roles such as serving on executive boards for school clubs and contributing to her county’s Teen Court program. These experiences gave her a strong foundation in community partnerships and collaboration with peers. However, joining the YAC offered something transformative: a chance to work alongside NYLC staff as an equal partner. Through NYLC’s commitment to amplifying youth voice and positioning young people as co-creators in decision-making spaces, Molly gained the confidence to share her perspective boldly and advocate for the issues that matter most to her generation.

“It’s taught me a lot about how to work professionally with adults, because you don’t really get to do that very much,” says Molly. “The professional skills that you develop are definitely the best part”

Molly has applied these skills to her local school board through their Student Voices program, where she actively participates in board meetings and shares her insights on local education policies. Reflecting on the impact of NYLC, Molly shared, “We work with adults on real issues affecting our schools and counties, and NYLC definitely gave me the confidence to do that.”

NYLC has also provided Molly with the opportunity to collaborate with young leaders from across the country. In 2024, she played a key role in organizing youth-focused experiences at the National Service-Learning Conference, including the youth summit designed for young people to connect and grow. Through this work, Molly not only deepened her connections with fellow YAC members but also gained valuable insights into the diverse perspectives and approaches young people bring to leadership and service.

Now a senior in high school, Molly looks toward her college years as another way to apply the interpersonal and professional skills she has learned from the YAC. As a lifelong science lover, Molly is now considering majoring in Public Policy Analysis and Business Analytics and believes this decision has been influenced by the work she has done with NYLC. 

“I’m really interested in the research part of service-learning and I definitely feel like I’m making a much more meaningful change as an activist. I love working with people and making a difference, so it’s changed my interests a little bit.”

As Molly looks back on her NYLC experience, she thinks of one word: confidence.

“We have this space that is so respectful. Now I know my worth, even if other adults don’t respect it, I see the value in my own perspective. I think it’s made me mature a lot, and now I see the bigger picture in everything.”

Through her experiences with NYLC and the Youth Advisory Council, Molly has grown into a confident leader, ready to tackle challenges, collaborate across generations, and value others’ perspectives. As Molly looks ahead to her next chapter, she embodies the truth that The Future of Leadership Starts Here—in spaces that empower youth voice and foster growth. NYLC is proud to be part of her journey and the journeys of countless young leaders shaping the future with courage and purpose.

Kaleb’s leadership path reflects how NYLC is equipping young people to create lasting change. Now, we’re preparing for our next BIG step! Join us for our February 12th event to discover how NYLC is evolving and growing, with exciting new opportunities to empower even more young people in the decades to come.