Submitted by: Joanne Waszczak
Submitting Department: Legislative
Agenda Section: Discussion
Item Title:
title
FY23 Budget Initiative: Establishment of Youth Advisory Council
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Suggested Action:
recommendation
I move that the City Council establish a Youth Advisory Council for the City of Hyattsville.
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Summary Background:
The City of Hyattsville needs a Youth Advisory Council (YAC) to guide and drive our programs, services and facilities for young people; to increase the turnout of younger voters in our local elections; and to advise the City Council about how policies will impact our younger residents.
Additionally, there is evidence of pent-up demand for the City to recognize and support youth leadership. We see young people actively participating in City programs and services and other local events. We hear younger residents expressing that they would like to engage in local decision-making, particularly to ensure that the needs, perspectives, and interests of youth are incorporated and seriously considered. We also know that young people of color and youth from low income households need a seat at the table so we can build more equitable futures for them.
In 2021, the City invested $500,000 in a new Teen Center (5812 40th Avenue) that is slated to open in the near future. Teens are more likely to utilize facilities (e.g., teen centers, skate parks) and attend programs and services (e.g., camps, tutoring, service projects) when they are engaged in the design of the space, the programming, the ground rules, etc. "If you build it, they won't necessarily come..Experienced teen program personnel know that the key to attracting and sustaining teen participation is to involve them in all aspects of program design." * The YAC would work closely with City staff to design facilities, programs, and services for young people, and to engage additional youth in those processes as well.
In 2015, the City passed a charter amendment that gave 16- an...
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