Thank you for your interest in the Billy Bear Hug Foundation Youth Advisory Board (YAB)! The YAB is a unique service-learning program that puts West Michigan youth at the center of running a non-profit organization. Selected student leaders serve as ambassadors for the organization and engage in hands-on projects to grow and expand the Billy Bear mission. For example, in an effort to enhance a child’s experience of receiving a Billy Bear, YAB members designed ‘Cub Kit’ care packages to include Billy Bears and other items that are delivered to key partners. Other members have worked with their schools to incorporate BBH into school-wide fundraising activities, or gone shopping to put together care packages & craft kits for patients. In turn, selected students gain access to unique professional development opportunities, including resume workshops and meetings with prominent business leaders, medical practitioners & nonprofit professionals.

The application is open to rising 9th through 12th grade high school students in the West Michigan area. Applications are being accepted until 5:00 PM on Wednesday, May 14. Select candidates will be invited to participate in a 30-minute Zoom interview between May 16 - June 30.

2016-17 Youth advisory board members with Amway Chairman Doug DeVos — Youth advisory board members with Amway Chairman Doug DeVos

Please note that this is a highly competitive process and we receive more applications than positions available in the program. Please answer the questions below to the best of your ability and in as much detail as possible so that we can get to know you better as an applicant. This is your chance to shine! We are looking for passionate, energetic and motivated students who will have a meaningful impact on the YAB program, the Billy Bear organization, and the children and families we serve.

Important Dates:

Wednesday, May 14: Applications due by 5:00 PM
May 16 - June 30: Zoom Interviews for Select Candidates
Early July: 2025-2026 Youth Advisory Board announced
Sunday, August 24: First meeting of the 2025-2026 Youth Advisory Board
Third Sunday of Every Month (4:00 PM -5:30 PM): Monthly General Meetings

Other Helpful Links:

Billy Bear Hug: Giving the Cure of Comfort
The Teddy Bear Sidekicks Behind Real-Life Superheroes (WOOD TV, January 2020)
Billy’s Bear Hugs Live On Through Teddy Bear Toss (WOOD TV, January 2019)

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Discuss your knowledge of the story of Billy Bear Hug, as well as our mission as an organization.. What is it that draws you to, and excites you about, the potential of working with our organization?

What is it about our Youth Advisory Board (YAB) specifically that interests you and why do you wish to become a member? What do you hope to gain from this experience? How will BBH YAB help you achieve your personal goals?

What specific skills, interests, or background do you think could make you a valuable addition to the Youth Advisory Board? What do you feel you could contribute to BBH and the Youth Advisory Board as a member? What have you done for other non-profits / groups which you can leverage for BBH?

(This could be a passion for graphic design or marketing, a particular life experience, experience in fundraising, etc.)

What other extracurricular activities are you involved with? Have you ever held a leadership position (e.g., team captain, student government, etc.)? Please discuss your involvement and experiences, and highlight specific accomplishments or projects completed as applicable.

A critical role the YAB plays is advancing the mission of BBH through real-life, hands-on projects. Discuss some ideas you have for advancing our mission.

(This could be a fundraising project, an event, a new program for kids, a marketing strategy, or some other area you've identified as an opportunity for BBH)

If selected, what goals might you have for: (i) you individually as a Youth Advisory Board member, and (ii) the broader Youth Advisory Board and its contributions to the mission of Billy Bear Hug?

Briefly discuss some of your passions and how that aligns with BBH and the YAB.

Discuss some of your other commitments for the upcoming school year and how you anticipate prioritizing BBH YAB.

Is there anything we did not ask that you would like to share?

2025-2026 Youth Advisory Board Application

2025-2026 Billy Bear Hug Youth Advisory Board Application