APRIL Logo with the words, "The United Voice of Independent Living in Rural America."

APRIL YOUTH STEERING COMMITTEE

 

 Click Here to Join YSC Meetings (2nd Monday of every month at 4 pm Pacific/7 pm Eastern)

 

  

Group of people around a conference area

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The APRIL Youth Conference would not be possible without all the work of our dedicated volunteers. Thank you for your commitment to youth with disabilities and APRIL. If you see these young folks at our conference, congratulate them on all their hard work and accomplishments, and give them a huge IL Thank You for getting the next generation excited to LEAD ON."

- APRIL Staff

 

 To join the Youth Steering Committee calls please jump on our meetings at 7:00pm EST

(6:00pm CST, 5:00pm MST, 4:00pm PST) 

2nd Mondays of the Month

Follow us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/aprilyouth/

For more information please contact our us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

We hosted the first large-scale gathering of rural youth with disabilities and CILs at the 10th annual APRIL conference in Minneapolis. Establishing an ongoing Youth Steering Committee to make sure the youth conference is for youth and by youth.

The Youth Steering Committee is comprised of young volunteers and more who are passionate about youth involvement and engagement. We meet once a month to plan every youth detail of the annual APRIL Conference.  We plan details to the Youth Conference that is held the Friday before each conference.  We also plan the youth activities that take place throughout the rest of the weekend.  Our goal as a committee is to offer an opportunity to youth from across the country to come together to learn about issues in IL and how they can get involved when they return home. 

2025 APRIL Youth Steering Executive Committee Bios

[positions run January 2025 - November 2025]

 

Noah Russell, Chair

Pronouns: He/Him

 Photo of Noah Russell, a young white man with glasses and dark hair. He is sitting in a chair in formal attire.

Noah Russell is a member of the Space Coast Independent Living Center. He holds 4 going-on 5 black belts, supports United Way, is a member of the Autistic Community, and is the Chair of the YSC (Youth Steering Committee). He is dedicated to helping people all around by advocating for people in his community and his state of Florida.  He works at Publix Super Markets and through them helps people with disabilities and non-disabled people. he has served for 5 years on the executive committee for APRIL and serves as a Board Member on the Board of Directors in the youth seat. He is excited to lead the committee in Portland Oregan and make it a great year!

 

Angel Reyes, Vice Chair

Pronouns:

 

Bio and Photo TBD

 

Axel Garcia, Secretary

Pronouns: They/Them

 Photo of Axel Garcia, a BIPOC person with brown, natural short curly hair and bangs that cover their forehead and partially obscure their glasses.

Axel Garcia, a 19-year-old currently working at Pet Supermarket and serving as an ambassador for Able Trust High School High Tech, is an outgoing and determined individual. Known for their selfless nature, Axel always strives to give their best and push past their limits to support those around them. Their experience at the 2024 Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) was a pivotal moment that inspired them to pursue leadership, advocate for what is right, and apply the skills they gained there to their current endeavors. Outside of work, Axel enjoys playing the clarinet, drawing, and writing stories in their free time.

 

Zach Cox, Fundraising Chair

Pronouns:

Photo of Zach Cox, a young white male with shorter dark hair and dark rimmed glasses. He is sitting on a couch wearing a sweatshirt.

Hi my name is Zach Cox. I am the president of People First of the Mark Twain area. I am from Hannibal, Missouri. I like to camp, bike, fishing, and hangout with friends and family members. I'm also a Toys for Tots volunteer.

 

Jordan Hayes, Social Media

Pronouns: She/Her

Photo of Jordan Hayes, a young white woman in her late 20's with dark rimmed glasses and short bright blue hair.

Jordan Hayes (she, her) is this year’s social media chair on the Youth Steering Committee. She graduated from Winthrop University with a Bachelors of Social Work in 2021 and has been working as a peer mentor for other folks with disabilities since. She currently serves on the APRIL board as a youth member and works at her local CIL, Disability Rights & Resources in Charlotte, NC. In her free time, Jordan enjoys watercolor painting, playing video games, and,of course, scrolling social media.