2026-2027 NYCLU Teen Activist Project Application (Buffalo)

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS APPLICATION IS FOR STUDENTS IN BUFFALO.

IF YOU LIVE OUTSIDE OF BUFFALO,
PLEASE APPLY AT THE LINK(S) PROVIDED AT NYCLU.ORG/YOUTH.
 

TAP members are directly impacted high school students who speak publicly on NYCLU education issues and work alongside staff to advance the mission of the Education Policy Center. Our students are a diverse group with passions and personal experiences that touch on many issues, including school climate and bullying, the school-to-prison pipeline, education equity, environmental racism, LGBTQIA+ rights, and teen health.

The NYCLU continues to identify different ways to elevate student stories in our work including media interviews, blog posts and speeches at events and actions. We are recruiting students from Buffalo and the surrounding area with the expectation that students are able to meet in Buffalo in-person on Wednesdays during the school year. Students will be expected to meet regularly, work on a committee with other TAP students, attend community events like school board meetings, and connect with other youth programs and organizers in the area. 

To Apply:

  • Be between the ages of 14 and 21
  • Be currently enrolled in high school or a GED program in the Buffalo area
  • Be available to meet in person on Wednesdays evenings
  • Be interested in youth and student rights, health, and social justice
  • Be committed to working with other teens to promote health and justice
  • Be willing and able to discuss controversial issues sensitively and respectfully
  • Be interested in current events and how they impact New Yorkers

Note: Students of all backgrounds are eligible for the program, regardless of immigration status.

What Will I Get Out of Participating?:

  • Stipend or community service hours
  • Opportunities to plan and participate in trips and other advocacy projects
  • Leadership, public speaking and community organizing skills
  • Knowledge about the law and how it affects all people
  • Meeting organizers and activists from Buffalo and across the state
  • Valuable experience organizing for social change
  • Become a member of the NYCLU community, meeting and working with professionals on social justice issues

Complete the application below by Friday, October 9, 2026. Interviews will be held in mid-October after the application deadline to invite selected applicants to learn about the NYCLU and the program. If you have any questions, please contact us at 212-607-3300 or schools@nyclu.org. 

* indicates required field

Student Information
TAP Meeting Logistics
TAP meetings will be in-person in Downtown Buffalo on Wednesdays.
Application Questions
First Choice Second Choice Third Choice Fourth Choice Fifth Choice Sixth ChoiceSeventh Choice
Racial Justice
School Safety/Metal Detectors
School Suspensions, Restorative Justice
Free Speech and Protesting
Adolescent Health (sex education, mental health, repro access)
Youth Justice/Criminal Justice
Student Privacy and AI in Schools
Environmental Justice
LGBTQ+ Rights
Language Access
OPTIONAL: Demographic Information
Optional Demographic Data (Disclaimer): The NYCLU values diversity and inclusion as a critical organizational priority and we encourage all students to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, citizenship, or disability. The following demographics questions help us better understand our programs to ensure we are serving a diverse pool of individuals. They are entirely optional and play no part in the selection process. We are committed to making every effort to accommodate applicants with disabilities. Please let us know if you need assistance in the application process by contacting: schools@nyclu.org.