A program of

In partnership with

Goals

Learn about local government, civic issuesMeaningfully engage in policy & decision-makingHighlight civic issues important to youthCreate a communitywide network of informed,

engaged youth leadersServe as a resource for community leaders.

Why does it matter?

We’re stakeholders– 25% of the population is under 18– We are the community’s present & future– We need to be at the table

A resource for you– Make better policies and decisions on issues

impacting kids

Who we are

100+ teens participated in 2013-14– 28 CMS and non-CMS schools

Diverse group, representative of community– Race, ethnicity, religion

– Income and family background

– LGBTQ status

– Political and career interests

– Everything!

What we did this year

Met with city, county, and CMS officials & attended government meetings

Created city, town, and school board government and candidate guide

Represented Charlotte-Mecklenburg youth at 2 conferences and several community events

Explored community history and growthHosted a youth-led summit with officials

Youth council activities

Over 1,340 hours of serviceGroup activities offered

– 80 hours interacting• City, county, CMS, and NC officials

– 150 hours exploring• Community issues and different perspectives

– 95 hours learning• Local government, business, history, careers

Issues

Education, youth programsJobs and workforce developmentState-local issues, teacher pay, CLT airport, Community growth, planning, and landHow Charlotte-Mecklenburg worksPrioritizing, funding, and budgeting for

services, needs, and wantsPublic service and careers

New experiences

100% of youth • Interacted with an official• Learned about local government• Engaged on a local issue

Public service• Students also explored the interesting and diverse

career and public service opportunities, seeing beyond their own comfort zones and involving themselves in new experiences.

Working together

A little more than half of youth surveyed• Believe that local officials understand the needs of

young people, or • Involve youth when making decisions impacting kids

We look forward to working with you to make Charlotte-Mecklenburg great!

Our Recommendations

Collaboration and bipartisanship• We want leaders and governments to work together.

Make children and youth a priority• Prioritize and fund services impacting kids; include

youth in planning and budgeting.Access to youth programs and services

• Make it easier for us to find programs and support.Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s future

• We want to be here to work, live, play, and lead.

Youth Summit

Conferences

Learning about CLT-Meck

Student voice

Learn more

Visit www.GenerationNation.org/youth to– Watch our video

• Or see it at http://bit.ly/youthvideo13_14 – Read the youth council’s report– Get more information about the youth council

Thank you for your support!