The Youth Link Board consists of 12 youth and six adults from the Bellevue community who advise the city manager regarding youth issues. They advocate for changes in systems that directly affect youth.
Youth Link has been providing innovative programming for middle and high school students since the early 1990s, with a mission to engage Bellevue's youth in civic leadership opportunities and community service and provide a platform for youth voice as counsel for the city manager. The Youth Link Board promotes diversity, unity and equity for high school youth in Bellevue. Board work includes addressing youth mental health, transitional support, youth financial education and employment equity, environmental sustainability, as well as issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Meetings
The board meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, 6-8 p.m., at City Hall. View the Youth Link Board schedule for meeting dates, times and locations.
The Youth Link Board does not meet in July or August.
Upcoming Meeting
Public Meeting Records
Previous meeting minutes, agendas, packets and other public meeting records are on Youth Link Board Public Meeting Archive page.
Members
The Youth Link Board consists of six to 12 high school youth members (up to age 21), and up to six adult members. All Board members are appointed by the city manager, with two ex-officio positions representing the City Council and the Bellevue School District Board. Members serve two-year terms, September through August, with the possibility of one re-appointment.
Youth Members
- Member, Vita Grace Israel Cabanilla, (term expires 2025)
- Member, Kareem Deraz, (term expires 2026)
- Member, Mehr Grewal, (term expires 2026*)
- Member, Liam Krol, (term expires 2025)
- Member, Vishnu Mangipudi, (term expires 2026*)
- Member, Jeremiah Opong-Blanks, (term expires 2025)
- Member, Filipe Owen, (term expires 2026)
- Member, Paree Raval, (term expires 2026)
- Member, Sophia Sekits, (term expires 2026*)
- Member, Akira Sharma, (term expires 2026)
- Member, Alexandra Tay, (term expires 2026*)
- Member, Carson Walker, (term expires 2026)
*Denotes second term
Adult Members
- Member, Christina Kirkpatrick, (term expires 2026*)
- Member, Cheryl Lee, (term expires 2025)
- Member, Max Navas, (term expires 2026*)
- Member, Celeste Reyes, (term expires 2026)
- Member, Tika Smith, (term expires 2026)
*Denotes second term
2024-2026 Liaisons
- Deputy Mayor, Mo Malakoutian
- Jane Aras, Bellevue School District
Staff Support
- Director, Michael Shiosaki - Parks & Community Services
- Program Coordinator, Patrick Alina - Parks & Community Services
Authority
There are no authority items available at this time.
Policies and Forms
- Youth Link Board Applications: The applications for the 2025-2027 term are now open! Follow the links in the "2025-2027 Term" section for more details and to apply online! For additional information about the Bellevue Youth Link Board or the Youth Link program, please contact Patrick Alina, Youth Link Program Coordinator at 425-452-5254 or palina@bellevuewa.gov.