Youth Organizing Fellowship: Join us! We center the voices of disabled youth, helping you know your rights, grow in your identity, and make a positive difference in your community.

Youth Organizing Fellowship: Join us! We center the voices of disabled youth, helping you know your rights, grow in your identity, and make a positive difference in your community.
Welcome to the ROI Youth Fellowship Application!

We are so excited that you are interested in Roots of Inclusion’s Youth Organizing Fellowship. Roots of Inclusion is a statewide advocacy organization that works to make our schools and community more equitable, inclusive, and accessible. This program is all about supporting youth who want to lead change in their schools and communities and we are here to support you to do that.

My name is Anita Erskine (she/her), and I am the Youth Engagement Program Manager for the Fellowship. I will be your main point of contact and a mentor throughout the program. I am here to support you, answer questions, and cheer you on as you grow your leadership. I am an Asian Indian woman, and I am a disabled person. I use a wheelchair and have learning disabilities.

I am excited to read your applications and choose our first group of Youth Fellows. You can answer the questions on this application by filling out the Google Form or by sending a video or voice recording to my email: Anita@rootsofinclusion.org. If you need accommodations for the application process or if you have questions, you and/or your parent or guardian can also reach me there.

About the ROI Youth Fellowship

The ROI Youth Fellowship is a two-year program (December 2025 - November 2027) for middle school students ages 11–13 with disabilities who live in King County. We are committed to including youth with all types of disabilities from all backgrounds.

Year 1: You will learn about leadership, advocacy, and civic skills. We will discuss important topics such as disability identity, civil rights, anti-racism, and community advocacy. You will receive support from mentors, peers, and guest speakers, and participate in a youth-led listening tour.

Year 2: You will help create and teach a Know-Your-Rights and Empowerment Curriculum for youth with disabilities. You will also teach your peers and community members, helping to build a group of strong youth advocates.

Support and flexibility will be provided throughout the program to ensure your success.

Students selected can receive up to a $50 stipend per meeting and activity.

Program Requirements:
- Attend monthly virtual meetings after school.
- Take part in 1–2 youth-led community listening tours (some activities may be in-person or hybrid in King County)
- Present the Know-Your-Rights and Empowerment curriculum and share your reflections at the end of the fellowship with support from the group.
- Have permission from a parent/guardian to participate in the program
Applications are due by December 15th, 2025

We will select up to 20 students to join the Fellowship. We may invite finalists for a short online interview before making final decisions. If you're selected, you will receive an invitation by December 22nd, 2025

Monthly meetings for the fellowship will be held on the second wednesday of every month from 5:00-6:00 PM.
- Wednesday, January 14, 2026
- Wednesday, February 11, 2026
- Wednesday, March 11, 2026
- Wednesday, April 8, 2026
- Wednesday, May 13, 2026
- June TBD
Meetings for the 2026-2027 school year will be determined at a later date.
What is your name?*
What is your email?*
What is your preferred phone number for texting/calling?*
What is your preferred method of communication?*

EmailPhone callText
What pronouns do you use?(For example: he, she, they, a certain combination, or another pronoun.)*
What is your date of birth?*
What grade are you in?*
What is the name of your school?*
Please share the name of your parent or guardian.*
Please provide your parent or guardian's phone number.*
Please provide your parent or guardian's email address.*
Do you live in King County?*

YesNo
What is your Zip code?*
Do you identify as having a disability or disabilities?(Your answer is confidential, but this project is focused on working with students with disabilities.)*

YesNoPrefer not to say
Gender Identity*

FemaleMaleNon-BinaryTransgenderTwo-SpiritGenderqueerGenderfluidGender nonconformingAgenderQuestioningPrefer to self describePrefer not to answer
If you selected "I prefer to self describe" for your gender identity please describe below.
To help us communicate with you in the way that works best for you. Please share any spoken or written languages you prefer.*

American Sign LanguageAmharicArabicChinese - CantoneseChinese - MandarinDariEnglishJapaneseKhmerKoreanMarshallesePunjabiRussianomaliSpanishTigrinyaUkranianVietnameseOther (specify Language)Prefer not to say
If you selected "Other (specify Language) please specify below.
Please select all that apply. If you prefer to describe your identity in your own words, selecting "I prefer to self-describe" will direct you to a space where you may do so.*

American Indian or Alaska NativeAsianBlackHispanic or LatinoMiddle Eastern or North AfricanPacific IslanderWhiteI prefer to self-describeI prefer not to answerUnknown
If you selected "I prefer to self describe" for your race and ethnicity please describe below.
American Indian or Alaska Native. Please list your tribal affiliation(s):
Asian (may check additional categories or write in)

Asian IndianBangladeshiBhutaneseBurmese/MyanmarCambodian/KhmerChamChineseFilipinoHmongIndonesianJapaneseKoreanLaoMalaysianMienMongolianNapaliOkinawaPakistaniPunjabiSingaporeanSri LankanTaiwaneseThaiVietnameseTibetanOther Asian
Other Asian- Please Describe
Black (may check additional categories or write in)

African AmericanAfrican CanadianCaribbeanLatin AmericanCentral AfricaEast AfricaSouth AfricaWest AfricaOther Black
Other Black - Please describe
Hispanic or Latino (may check additional categories or write in)

CubanDominicanChicano (Mexican American)Puerto RicanSalvadorianSpaniardOther Central AmericanOther South AmericanOther Hispanic or Latino
Other Central American - Please describe
Other South American - Please describe
Other Hispanic or Latino - Please describe
Middle Eastern or North African (may check additional categories or write in)

AlgerianEgyptianIranianIraqiIsraeliLebaneseMoroccanPalestinianQatariTunisianYemeniOther Middle Eastern or North African
Other Middle Eastern or North African - Please describe
Pacific Islander (may check additional categories or write in)

CarolinianChamorroChuukeseFijianI-Kiribati/GilberteseKosraeanMaoriMarshalleseNative HawaiianNi-VanuatuPalauanPapuanPohnpeianSamoanSolomon IslanderTahitianTokelauanTonganTuvaluanYapeseOther Pacific Islander
Other Pacific Islander - Please describe
White (may check additional categories or write in)

EuropeanEastern EuropeanOther White
Other White - Please Describe
Optional: We know that everyone has many parts to who they are. Are there any other identities you hold that you’d like to share with us?(For example: race, culture, language, religion, gender, or anything else that’s important to you. Sharing is optional.)
What can we do to help you fully participate in our virtual meetings and activities? (For example: interpreters, breaks, alternative formats, live captioning, or anything else you need. Please be as specific as possible)*
Monthly Meeting will happen over Zoom. Do you have reliable access to the internet and a device for Zoom meetings? (If you have concerns, please let us know.)*
The fellowship is a 2- year program that begins in December 2025 and runs through November 2027. Meetings this school year will happen after school during the second week of the following months: December 2025 through May 2026. (We break for summer. We will set meetings for the September 2026 - May 2027 school year as a group.) Which days of the week are you most likely to be available for our 1-hour monthly online meeting? Check all that apply.

MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
What is your preferred meeting time on a weekday after school? Check all that apply.

4:00 - 5:00 PM5:00 - 6:00 PM6:00 - 7:00 PM
What are your strengths, interests, or talents you'd like to share with us? Check all that apply.*

I enjoy speaking in front of groupsI like writing or creating things to share ideas.I like meeting new people.I like working with a teamI want to practice leadership skills.Other
What other strengths, interests, or talents would you like to share?
Please share up to 2-3 sentences or several bullet points about a time when you spoke up for yourself or someone else. (This example could be at school, at home, with friends, or anywhere else-- big or small.) *
What does "advocacy" mean to you in one sentence, especially when you think about the community around you and King County? (There's no right or wrong answer.) *
What are 2-3 things that excite you about joining the Youth Organizing Fellowship? Please limit your answer to 2-3 sentences max or some bullet points.*
Optional: It's normal to feel nervous about meeting new people, speaking in groups, sharing your ideas, or giving presentations. What helps you feel more comfortable or supported? (For example: getting e-introductions, icebreakers, extra time to prepare, working with a partner, practicing first, using notes, or other supports)
Should be Empty: