Youth Council Gets Organized
"A little bit of hard work and a lot of fun." Application deadline is May 8.
Got kids in grades 6 to 12 in Twentynine Palms schools? Or grandkids, nieces, nephews, niblings, or neighbors? On Monday, April 29, at Patriotic Hall, the City’s Parks and Recreation Department presented an opportunity for the voices of local youth to be heard and for them to become engaged with local government.
Applications are due May 8 at 6 pm, and forms can be found on the City’s website. Selections will be made by May 17 and approved at the May 28 City Council meeting.
Kary Minatrea and Amy Tessier of Twentynine Palms Parks and Recreation talked about the Youth Council’s structure and application timelines to an audience of around two dozen parents and students, including Mayor Steve Bilderain and his family. The Council, Minatrea said, will consist of 14 local students—14 because Parks and Rec has a 15-person van to be used for possible outings—and any student from sixth to twelfth grade is eligible for a one-year term starting in June. Meetings are twice a month on the first and third Tuesday from 4 to 5 pm and will sometimes include attendance and presentations at City Council and other City meetings.
At Youth Council meetings, participants will build their own programs and discuss and vote on ideas. Minatrea said that the Youth Council will likely have a budget, “which will be put together when we have a solid foundation for the program,” and Council members will be able to raise funds for projects they develop.
Twentynine Palms student Thomas Elkins (who was named the region’s Scout of the Year in February) has been persistent in ensuring that the City create a Youth Council, speaking before the City Council and advocating for the benefits of this group. Both he and Izzy Hargrove spoke before Council on November 14, 2023, and the Youth Council’s formation was finally approved on January 23, 2024.
The Institute for Local Government says that
“Being a member of a youth commission allows for professional development, encouraging young people to pursue a career in the public sector and participate in local civic activities. They are a resource that provides youth a voice in the political process and community input for local government. When a city, county, or special district creates a youth commission, they are investing in a new generation of public employees and change agents.”
Youth councils in Southern California have created community green spaces, providing mentoring for other students, and organizing events.
For more information about the Youth Council, please contact Recreation Program Supervisor Amy Tessier by phone at (760) 367-7562 x1022 or by email at atessier@29palms.org.
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