Involving young people in their communities is the goal of youth councils that are being cultivated in many localities throughout Georgia.
These councils evolve in a variety of ways but generally have a mission to get youth actively involved in their communities and learn how individuals—even those who are young—can make a difference for the greater good.
This past July, Downtown Douglas was abuzz with activity as 300 bookbags loaded with school supplies and personal protection equipment were handed out to families whose children would be starting school.
Those handing out the bookbags were teens themselves and members of the Douglas Youth Council. Not only did they distribute the supplies, they also talked with residents, asking if they completed the 2020 U.S. Census and encouraging them to do so if they hadn’t.
The Douglas Youth Council is in its third year and currently has eight participants, according to Wynetta Bolder, who serves as Douglas city clerk, customer service director and oversees the council along with four others.
The council seeks students in ninth through 12th grades and initially attracted young people who were already involved in numerous activities but weren’t as committed to the council as Bolder wanted. Those students started dropping off.
Now, she says, she’s seeking students who may not think that a youth council program is meant for them—ones who may be shy or lack confidence or might not have A and B grades, but who have potential.
The teens in the Douglas Youth Council are challenged to decide what they want to focus on and how to accomplish their goals—suicide prevention, bullying and dating violence are among topics they’ve discussed.
“I am hoping they will take responsibility for the things going on in their community,” said Bolder of the big picture. “A lot of them didn’t understand why it was important to do the census. They learned the importance of it. We hope they will take these things to college with them. Go off, come back and help out.”
Her advice to those beginning to embark on developing a youth council is to understand that adults should serve as guides and advisors.
“You have to listen to the kids,” said Bolder. “This is their board. This is their thing. You can’t tell them how to run it.”
She added the importance of having the support of local and state officials and getting as many involved as possible, because establishing a youth council is no easy task.
“You just can’t give up,” she said. “If you give up on the program, you’re going to give up on the kids.”
Sugar Hill’s Youth Council has made its presence known in several significant ways. Council members testified on a vaping bill earlier this year and sent a letter to Gov. Brian Kemp requesting an invitation to the bill’s signing. They also held a virtual Black Lives Matter session this summer and are drafting a resolution to present to city council to make Juneteenth a city holiday.
Launched in 2009, Walking in Authority (WIA) Youth Council covers seven cities—Forest Park, Riverdale, Lovejoy, College Park, Lake City, Morrow and Jonesboro—with a membership of 27 teens ages 13-19. The council has worked with the Fair Count Committee and made more than 500 calls regarding the 2020 Census, developed a “No Hate Zone” anti-bullying and suicide prevention program, worked on an anti-vaping project and won first place for a teenage pregnancy prevention video.
“We have to groom them and open them up to some of our networks,” said Sparkle Adams, executive director of the council. The council’s goal is for youth to be part of coming up with “successful solutions to community problems.”
Former council members are also assisting the program and have recently been involved in the startup of an alumni council with individuals such as 18-yearold Genesis Velasco taking part. Velasco was an active member of WIA for about a year and a half and found the experience rewarding.
“It was such a unique opportunity,” said Velasco of being able to meet business and community leaders, discuss community issues with them, be taken seriously and not treated like a child by the adults.
Now, she’s back to mentor younger council members about college and scholarship applications before beginning her freshman year at Boston College as a premed student.
Partnerships have been a strategically important part in helping WIA be successful in covering such a broad territory. Among its partners are Clayton County Public Defender’s Office and Clayton County Public Schools.
Adams said one of the most important elements to have a successful youth council is getting parents’ buy-in from the start. She also suggested creating a how-to book that outlines the committees, positions and organizational information.