The Erie County Youth Board is a citizen advisory panel. Board members are volunteers who advise the Youth Bureau on matters of positive youth development, delinquency prevention, and runaway and homeless youth. The Youth Bureau and Board work closely together to ensure that the best possible youth programs in Erie County are supported in their missions. Board members review and approve applications for state and county funding for services to youth. Together, they work with the Youth Bureau staff to make funding recommendations to the Erie County Executive and Legislature.
In order to ensure that the youth of Erie County are receiving the best programs available, board members attend meetings on the second Monday of the month. Board members are also encouraged to attend agency site visits. In addition to volunteers from the community, the Board is also made up of at least two youth volunteers from area schools. Furthermore, Liaisons to the Board are volunteers who attend Board meetings but who have no voting privileges. These members are selected for their experience and knowledge in youth matters and are a valuable resource to the Board.
For more information, or for anyone interested in becoming a member of the Erie County Youth Board, please send a letter of interest, current resume, and 2-3 reference letters to Wanda Hillman at wanda.hillman@erie.gov. Download a flyer with information on how to become a board member!
Board Members
| Name | Occupation | Member Since |
|---|---|---|
| Ashleigh Worthy | Director of College Counseling with the Student Leadership Network | 2024 |
| LeShawn Davis | Youth Counselor at City of Buffalo, Division of Youth | 2023 |
| Jamien Eutsey | Youth Sports Management Program Director, Say Yes Buffalo | 2023 |
| Tiffany R. Lewis | President, Confident Girl Mentoring | 2024 |
| Precious Lugo | Statewide Youth Peer Advocate | 2024 |
| Maria Marinucci | Associate Director of Residential Life, University at Buffalo | 2023 |
| John Romanowski | Student at SUNY ESF | 2023 |
| David Smaczniak | Director of Corporate Training for the Office of Workforce Development at SUNY Erie | 2022 |
| Dr. Zaheera Hemphill-Azeem, DSW | Social Worker, Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School | 2024 |
| Jayla Williams | Program Monitor, City of Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (BURA) | 2024 |
| Rev. Denise Octavia Walden-Glenn | Executive Servant Leader (ED) at Urban Christian Ministries | 2024 |
| Lakisha Collins | Founder & CEO, LMCImpact Non-Profit | 2025 |
| Gabrielle Rose-Kostrzewski | Director of Education & Training, Child Care Resource Network | 2025 |
| Wavelle Parchment | Director, Evergreen Health Center | 2025 |
| Tyler Skretny | Associate Attorney, Phillips Lytle LLP | 2025 |
| Meghann Simpson | Statewide Youth Empowerment Specialist | 2025 |