Advocacy & Engagement Resources in Buchanan County
At PCS, we have a vision of an inclusive community where all people have value.
This starts with providing information and resources for advocacy and engagement throughout the life stages. Below you will find different resources (organized by life stage) that your family may find helpful.
Click on an age group to jump to resources especially for that age.
Youth Alliance
The St. Joseph Youth Alliance, established in 1991, works alongside community partners in Northwest Missouri to make sure local children and teens have the brightest futures possible. This includes initiatives for avoiding drug use and alcohol, connecting teens with mentoring and service experiences and boosting the resources of area early child development centers.
United Way of Greater St. Joseph
• Connects people with volunteer opportunities that match their interests, skills, and passions.
• Promotes volunteerism.
• Educates the public about the impact of volunteering in the community.
City of St. Joseph Boards and Commissions
View the City’s boards and commissions and learn about serving. If you are interested in serving on a board or commission, please fill out the online application and the City Clerk’s Office will contact you. You can also print off the form (PDF) to fill out and return it to the City Clerk’s Office.
Missouri Youth Leadership Forum (MO-YLF)
The Missouri Youth Leadership Forum is a FREE five-day, four-night leadership training and career awareness program for high school students with disabilities. It provides training in leadership, self-advocacy skills, and career awareness. The Youth Leadership Forum enables young adults who have a disability to learn from each other and from successful adults with disabilities who are recognized leaders and role models.
Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC)
Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) is part of a network that expands across the United States and Canada. This organization engages kids aged 11-18 in team-based structured, diverse, flexible service-learning opportunities. YVC has opportunities during the summer and after school.
InterServ
Volunteering keeps people active and involved in the community. At any age, volunteering builds community interaction and self-esteem. Adults and youth are encouraged to share their time and talents in a variety of community service projects to discover the joy of helping others in need.
Idealist.org
A platform connecting individuals with social-impact opportunities (merged with/formerly known as Volunteer Match)
Partners in Policymaking
Partners in Policymaking (or Partners, for short) is a leadership training program for adults with disabilities and parents of children with developmental disabilities. The program teaches leadership skills and techniques to develop positive partnerships with elected officials, school personnel and other individuals who make policy decisions about services that you and/or your family use.
United Way of Greater St. Joseph
• Connects people with volunteer opportunities that match their interests, skills, and passions.
• Promotes volunteerism.
• Educates the public about the impact of volunteering in the community.
City of St. Joseph Boards and Commissions
View the City’s boards and commissions and learn about serving. If you are interested in serving on a board or commission, please fill out the online application and the City Clerk’s Office will contact you. You can also print off the form (PDF) to fill out and return it to the City Clerk’s Office.
InterServ
Volunteering keeps people active and involved in the community. At any age, volunteering builds community interaction and self-esteem. Adults and youth are encouraged to share their time and talents in a variety of community service projects to discover the joy of helping others in need.
Idealist.org
A platform connecting individuals with social-impact opportunities (merged with/formerly known as Volunteer Match)
InterServ
Volunteering keeps people active and involved in the community. At any age, volunteering builds community interaction and self-esteem. Adults and youth are encouraged to share their time and talents in a variety of community service projects to discover the joy of helping others in need.
United Way of Greater St. Joseph
• Connects people with volunteer opportunities that match their interests, skills, and passions.
• Promotes volunteerism.
• Educates the public about the impact of volunteering in the community.
City of St. Joseph Boards and Commissions
View the City’s boards and commissions and learn about serving. If you are interested in serving on a board or commission, please fill out the online application and the City Clerk’s Office will contact you. You can also print off the form (PDF) to fill out and return it to the City Clerk’s Office.
AARP
AARP has many opportunities for older adults to get involved and also offeres community volunteer opportunities on their website.
Idealist.org
A platform connecting individuals with social-impact opportunities (merged with/formerly known as Volunteer Match)