HEY! Fellowship | Youth at the Center

Youth at the Center
500 Reading Road
Cincinnati OH 45202

Job Type: Hourly, Fellowship

Compensation: $18/hr; up to 28 hours per month

Posted Date: 08/14/2026

HEY! Fellowship is an employment opportunity for young people (14-24) to use their voices to advance HEY!’s 10-year strategy. (Hopeful Empowered Youth) designed to improve the well-being of youth in the Greater Cincinnati region. Youth fellows will support research projects and participate in the fellowship during this 28-week opportunity, starting in October of 2026 and ending in May of 2027.

HEY! Fellowship Applicant Demographics

All young people in the Greater Cincinnati region are invited to apply. HEY! needs to hear from young people ages 14–24 to help shape systems that can better serve youth in the region. The Fellowship seeks young people who live in Ohio and Kentucky; attend public or private schools, including high school and college; are not currently enrolled in school; and bring a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to the Fellowship.

The 10-year strategy is designed to improve supports for all youth in the region, so the Fellowship seeks applicants who can bring a variety of perspectives and experiences. Based on available data, some demographic groups face greater barriers when navigating the current system. The Fellowship also seeks to ensure that these voices are represented, including Black youth, LGBTQ+ youth, and systems-involved youth, including those with experience in child welfare, foster care, or the juvenile justice system.

Applicants Key Qualities

While each Fellow will bring their own background, beliefs, and experiences to share, Fellows
should possess these key qualities:

• Interest in creating a healthier community for young people
• Promoting resources and qualities that support youth well-being
• A flexible schedule that allows for regular participation in meetings and events
• Willingness to engage in courageous conversations around mental health, stigma,
• historical inequities, and more
• Ability to engage with peers and community members
• Desire to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with other Fellows

Opportunities for Training and Skill Development

The HEY! Fellowship will develop skills and equip the youth with the knowledge to aid their efforts in
continuing to implement the strategy, including:

• Community Building
• Understanding Leadership Styles
• Identifying Strengths
• Project Planning/Event Planning
• Conflict Management/Giving & Receiving Feedback
• Effective Communication/Public Speaking
• Asset-Based Community Engagement/Asset Mapping
• Grounding in Community Research Practices: Youth-Led Programs and Youth
  Participatory Action Research
• Organizing through Collective Impact

HEY! Fellowship Group Projects/Focus Areas

• HEY! Social Media
• Community and Caregivers Working Group
• Treatment Working Group
• Schools Working Group
• Data Working Group

What Else Will Fellows be Doing?

In addition to the Group Projects/focus areas, Fellows will:

• Provide feedback and perspectives to help move the broader HEY! initiative forward,
  particularly informing the work of the Steering Committee and Workgroups
• Receive skill development and support at weekly meetings
• Make recommendations to ensure mental health systems are youth-centered
• Be invited to engage in opportunities for personal and professional development through
• coaching, training, and hands-on experiences
• Have Public Speaking & Advocacy opportunities to share findings with stakeholders/key
• players
• Participate in data collection to ensure as many youth voices are included in the process as possible

Meeting Locations/Timing

The Fellowship will begin in October. Fellows will meet regularly on Monday evenings from 5:30
p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Youth at the Center office. Food is provided for Fellows at Monday meetings.

Bonding Retreat

• All Fellows will participate in a 24-48 hour overnight retreat focused on team building,
  bonding, and leadership development.
• This will be an opportunity to connect with your peers, build trust, and have fun all while
  learning new skills.
• Youth must be comfortable spending a night or two away from their guardians.

Virtual Info Session

Interested in learning more? Join the Virtual Info Session on August 18 at 6 p.m. and hear from HEY! Fellows who have participated in past cohorts.

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HEY! Fellowship image provided by the Youth at the Center website.