Overview & Responsibilities:
The Plant Powered Youth Steering Committee, an initiative from Chilis on Wheels and Friends of the Earth, is the youth arm of the Healthy Future Students and Earth Coalition. Founded in 2022, the YSC advocates for plant-based, climate-friendly, and culturally appropriate options in K-12 schools through grassroots advocacy, policy engagement, and education.
Our youth steering committee members will help advance new federal policies that shift K-12 lunch menus toward more plant-based, climate-friendly foods and work on personal projects to support plant-based options in your own communities.​​​​
Members of the youth steering committee will be responsible for:
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Regularly attending two zoom meetings per week. ​​​
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Attending an in-person advocacy event in Washington D.C. from July 5th - 9th.
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Responding to emails, participating in Slack channels, and engaging in group text communications in a timely and professional manner.
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Completing a personal project to expand plant-based options in your community: For high school students, you will receive guidance and support to help you launch a campaign in your school district to expand, improve, or promote plant-based meal options. High school graduates will also work on personal projects but have more flexibility to determine their own personal project.
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Organizing and executing other youth-led actions in support of plant-based, climate-friendly school foods, such as:
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Social media and traditional media campaigns
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Peer outreach and education
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Writing blogs
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Other actions that YOU decide!
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Timeline and time commitment:
Application Opens: January 22, 2024
We are accepting applications on a rolling basis and will prioritize students who apply by February 28th.
Interviews: January – March 2025
Notification of Acceptance: Beginning of April
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Program Dates:
For students who have already graduated from high school: May 1, 2025 – August 15, 2025
Minimum of 4 hours per week dedicated to the Plant-Powered Youth Steering Committee.
For high school students: May 1, 2025 - May 1, 2026:
For high school students only:
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From May 1, 2025 - August 15, 2025: Students will spend a minimum of 4 hours per week dedicated to the Plant-Powered Youth Steering Committee.
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From September 2025-May 2026: Students will spend about 8 hours a month on their local school food campaigns, including monthly meetings with their cohort of peers and project advisor.
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Additional support and compensation will be provided to high school students in grades 9-11 who continue the program and work for the full year.
Requirements:
Applicants must be:
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At least 14 years old and no older than 22 years old as of August 15, 2025.
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For students who will be under 18 as of August 15, 2025, parental consent will be required to participate. ​
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Currently attend or have previously attended a high school participating in the National School Lunch Program (all public schools participate in this program and some charter/private schools do).
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Passionate about improving school lunch.
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Available for our in-person advocacy trip to Washington D.C. from July 5th - 9th.
Members of the Youth Steering Committee will receive the following benefits:
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$1,000 stipend over the course of the summer
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Additional support and compensation will be provided to high school students in grades 9-11 who will continue the program for the full year.
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All expense paid trip to Washington D.C. for an in-person advocacy event.
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Mentorship from leading non-profit organizations in various fields.
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Professional development.
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Letters of recommendation upon completion of the program.
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A network of peers and like-minded individuals.