MT Opportunity Youth Collaborative
What is the MT Opportunity Youth Collaborative?
Together as the Montana Opportunity Youth Collaborative, we are building a statewide infrastructure to center youth voice, leadership, and advocacy in shaping Montana’s future. Through the launch of the Montana Youth Advisory Council and collective strategies, we have set our sights on dismantling systemic barriers, improving mental health supports, and fostering belonging and well-being for young people across the state. The Montana Opportunity Youth Initiative is a collaboration among EmpowerMT, HRDC’s Blueprint Continuum, and Reach Higher Montana. We are committed to youth leadership development, amplifying youth voices, addressing systemic inequities, and improving well-being across the state. This partnership is founded on the belief that by uniting to bring young leaders together, we can create a powerful force for positive change and enhance the sense of belonging, meaning, well-being, and purpose of our stellar Montana youth advocates.
Opportunity Youth Advisory Council Nominees
The Montana Opportunity Youth Collaborative welcomes applications for the Montana Youth Advisory Council from young people (ages 14–24) who care about mental health, community belonging, and creating positive change across Montana. Whether you're an outspoken advocate, a quiet thinker, an artist, or an organizer—we believe your voice belongs at the table.
If selected, you’ll have the opportunity to:
Participate in monthly virtual meetings and two in-person gatherings each year (all expenses covered)
Receive an honorarium of $2,000 ($500/quarter) in recognition of your time, experience, and expertise
Work alongside youth from across Montana to identify priorities and influence local and statewide policies
Learn and grow through storytelling, advocacy, and systems-change training grounded in the pillars of Belonging, Meaning, Well-being, and Purpose (BMWP)
