Watch the Youth Advisory Council Video.
Meet the Youth Advisory Council 2024-25
For teenagers in New York City who want to make a real difference, volunteering can be more than just community service hours—it can be a transformational experience. The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) at Ronald McDonald House New York offers one of the most meaningful and hands-on opportunities for high school students to grow as compassionate leaders, fundraisers, and changemakers.
Whether you're looking to volunteer as a high schooler in NYC or seeking a purpose-driven community, the Youth Advisory Council connects students with a cause that truly matters: supporting families with children battling pediatric cancer and other serious illnesses.
What Is the Youth Advisory Council?
Members of the Youth Advisory Council on the court during a Nets vs. 76ers game at Barclays Center.
The Youth Advisory Council at RMH-NY is a volunteer leadership group composed of high school students from across the New York City area. Council members commit to serving throughout the school year, working as a team to support the organization’s mission through fundraising, event planning, family engagement, and peer leadership.
The Council is composed of students from a variety of schools and backgrounds, each selected through an application and interview process. Members meet regularly to plan initiatives, coordinate volunteer opportunities, and collaborate on events that benefit the families staying at the House.
The Youth Advisory Council was built with a need to channel the giving energy of so many young people in the area that wished to serve the House. The YAC is managed through the Volunteer arm of the House by Volunteer Coordinator Heather Floyd. She is instrumental in the current success of our Youth Advisory Council.
A Focus on Sustainability and Fundraising
One of the Council’s core functions is fundraising. Over the past several years, YAC members have collectively raised significant funds to support RMH-NY’s programs. This includes student-led initiatives like annual dinners, casual events for families, and peer-to-peer campaigns.
Two graduating seniors, Miller Seigel and Tucker Harris, were vital in leading a recurring fundraising dinner during their time on the Council. Over the past two years, that event alone raised over $130,000. Their leadership extended beyond the fundraising numbers—they worked to develop a succession plan, transitioning event ownership to younger Council members to ensure its longevity and growth.
Miller and Tucker headlined Last year's Youth Advisory Council Dinner in matching sweaters.
This intentional handoff process reflects the Council’s broader commitment to sustainable impact. Each class of YAC members contributes while also preparing the next group of leaders to carry the mission forward.
Learning Through Leadership
YAC members develop a wide range of skills during their time on the Council. From organizing multi-component events to coordinating volunteers and tracking fundraising goals, the experience offers practical leadership training grounded in service.
Members like Miller and Tucker emphasized the value of long-term planning, patience, and delegation—skills often cultivated through months of preparation for a single event. Whether planning formal dinners or more relaxed gatherings like movie nights or speaker series, students learn how to work collaboratively and adaptively within a nonprofit structure.
Their involvement also deepens their understanding of the challenges faced by families staying at the House, grounding their leadership in empathy and purpose.
The Youth 4 Youth Social: Where Service Meets Style
Picture this: teenagers in blazers. Dim lights. A jazz band called the Jacques & Marie Paris Swing Quartet (yes, very fancy) set the mood for the evening. And then—bam!—a surprise guest, Jean-Michel Letalon joined the group to take the night to a whole new level.
This wasn’t your average school dance with sticky floors and lukewarm punch. The Youth 4 Youth Social was an epic collaboration between the fundraiser’s original founders, Hospitality Director Alexander Morris and Executive Chef/BOH Director Joshua Small and Ronald McDonald House New York’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) led by Miller Siegel and Tucker Harris. Together, these four young men alongside their YAC peers cooked up a full-on gala: live music, dancing, a silent auction, and a multicourse meal actually prepared by Joshua Small himself. Yes, he really did the cooking. No, he’s not available for private events—he’s got AP exams. But I would confirm with his people. He might just be able to fit certain requests into his busy calendar.
Joshua Small and Alexander Morris, founders, on stage at the Youth 4 Youth Social.
Youth Advisory Council at the Youth 4 Youth Social 2025
Held in the stunning Leman Ballroom at Leman Manhattan Preparatory School, the night had all the elegance of a grown-up benefit dinner—with just the right sprinkle of teenage magic. There was laughter, dancing, and the kind of energy that only happens when young people do something for other young people.
And the best part? Every dollar raised went straight to the families at Ronald McDonald House New York.
Sharon Carter Jones, Chief Business & Strategy Officer at Ronald McDonald House New York, gave a spirited address that certainly excited the crowd, giving them a detailed understanding of the organization their funds given during the evening would benefit.
Sharon Carter Jones speaks to the dinner guests at the Youth 4 Youth Social on Saturday May 3rd, 2025.
To Heather, YAC’s fearless leader, Alexander, Joshua, Miller, Tucker, and the entire Youth Advisory Council team: RMH-NY is sending you the biggest standing ovation possible (with confetti cannons and possibly a slow clap). Your hard work, creativity, and heart made this night unforgettable—for our families, and for everyone lucky enough to be in that room.
Creating Connection for Families
Beyond fundraising, YAC members plan and host events that support the social and emotional needs of RMH-NY families. These events include:
- Hosting casual family dinners with themed gift bags or entertainment
- Organizing creative activities for children and siblings in treatment
- Supporting annual community-building events in partnership with House staff
The goal of these gatherings is simple: to offer joy, community, and connection in the midst of medical uncertainty. While no two events look the same, they all reflect the Council’s core mission—serving other youth, with heart.
Cultivating the Next Generation of Philanthropic Leaders
The Youth Advisory Council represents a unique model of youth engagement. At a time when many young people are searching for ways to make a difference, RMH-NY offers a hands-on opportunity to lead with compassion.
Council members leave the program with more than volunteer hours—they leave with a deep understanding of the role nonprofit organizations play in community health, and with the tools to lead in future careers, causes, and communities.
The Council also helps build awareness of RMH-NY’s mission among younger audiences and families throughout New York City, strengthening the House’s long-term connection with its local community.
How to Get Involved
The Youth Advisory Council is open to high school students who demonstrate commitment, leadership potential, and a passion for giving back. The application process typically opens once per year, with Council terms running through the school year.
Students interested in applying or learning more can visit www.rmh-newyork.org to view eligibility requirements, deadlines, and expectations.
Parents, educators, and community partners are also encouraged to reach out if they’d like to support the Council’s efforts or nominate a student for consideration.
Why Join? Benefits of Volunteering as a High Schooler in NYC
The benefits of joining the Youth Advisory Council extend well beyond the resume. For teens exploring volunteering in NYC as a teenager, YAC provides an experience that includes:
- Hands-on leadership development
- Teamwork and project management training
- Fundraising strategy and event planning
- Real-world exposure to nonprofit operations
- Deep empathy through direct service to families in crisis
Students leave the Council not just as volunteers, but as young philanthropists and future community leaders.
Why It Matters
The work of the Youth Advisory Council is a testament to what’s possible when young people are given the tools to lead with empathy. Their commitment uplifts the families at Ronald McDonald House New York—and their leadership ensures that compassion remains at the center of RMH-NY’s mission, now and into the future.
Thank you to all our Youth Advisory Council members for their service and commitment to the RMH-NY mission to support families with children fighting pediatric cancer and other life-threatening, complex medical issues in local hospitals across NYC.
Do you want to be a part of the Council next year?
Give what you can to the House today.
YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL 2024-25
