Youth Development Program and Youth Advisory Council
CUYFD works with young people all year through internships and the Youth Advisory Council. All CUYFD programs are free.
Year-round Youth Development Program
Through the year-round Youth Development Program, CUYFD hosts interns who work alongside our staff on real projects. The program is part of CUYFD's youth workforce development work. Interns build job skills, learn how a nonprofit operates, and leave with professional experience and references.
CUYFD hosts two groups of interns:
Urban Alliance high school interns: Detroit Public Schools Community District students placed at CUYFD through the Urban Alliance internship program.
University of Michigan-Dearborn social work interns: Social work students who complete their field placement at CUYFD.
What interns do
Program and materials design: Develop program activities, presentations, flyers, and social media content.
Program implementation: Help run school workshops, town halls, summits, and youth events.
Data analysis: Enter, organize, and analyze program and survey data.
Community outreach: Share information with residents and partners, and recruit program participants.
Administrative support: Help with scheduling, recordkeeping, and daily office tasks.
Schools and universities interested in placing interns with CUYFD can call (313) 340-3101 or email cuyfddetroit@gmail.com.
CUYFD also employs adult workers through a City of Detroit workforce pilot.
Youth Advisory Council (YAC)
The Youth Advisory Council is a group of Detroit high school students who lead CUYFD's youth prevention work. Members meet monthly. [CONFIRM: meeting day, time, and location]
What YAC members do
Create PSAs and social media campaigns on alcohol, marijuana, vaping, and opioids
Present to their peers at schools, town halls, and the annual Youth and Teen Summit
Help plan and lead the annual Youth and Teen Mental Health and Substance Abuse Prevention Summit
Advocate with lawmakers, including Capitol Hill Day at the 2026 CADCA National Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C.
Take part in leadership retreats, trainings, and team outings
Recent YAC work
"Don't Be Ugly with Alcohol": A PSA supporting Keep Alive with .05, a campaign to lower the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers from .08 to .05.
PSA contest: YAC members won third place in the Michigan Youth Coalition Network PSA contest.
Anti-vaping presentations: Members presented on vaping to their peers at the Youth and Teen Summit.
Who can join
Detroit high school students, click below to joint.
Follow the YAC on Instagram at @cuyfd_yac.