The City of Columbia Youth Commission is
a program for local high school students to provide leadership and improve
services for youth in the City of Columbia. The Youth Commission extends a warm
welcome to high school students between the ages of 14 to18 to become actively
involved in their community.
Purpose:To encourage youth
involvement in the community, enhance leadership skills, and voice policy ideas
and concerns of our City’s youth.
Mission: Our mission is to provide civic
participation and involvement in the community while promoting positive
activities and opportunities for youth in Columbia.
A Few of the Components
- Policymaking
– It is vital that our youth be involved in their government. To create that
avenue, the City of Columbia Youth Commission will meet with the Mayor, City
Council, and key city staff to discuss how various issues affect the youth.
- The City of Columbia Youth Commission
will conduct a Thanksgiving food drive by collecting canned goods and
perishable items for Harvest Hope Food Bank and the Oliver Gospel Mission
- The City of Columbia Youth Commission
will also assist the City’s senior citizens by working with Home Works to
repair and renovate dilapidated homes throughout Columbia.
- The Jefferson Awards Youth Service
Challenge - The Carnegie Endowment and the Kennedy
School of Government at Harvard, among many others, are concerned that
America's tradition of civic engagement is eroding. They see a startling
decline in the number of citizens joining hands to address community needs.
- Youth Scholar Fundraiser – This program
creates activities to raise money for those students who participate in the MYC
to attend college. Some of these activities may include: basketball
tournaments, a Valentine’s Day party, a percentage night at Which Wich®
restaurants, raffle ticket sales, game night, etc.
Membership:
- Two
students from each high school will be selected.
- Student
must attend a high school located in the Greater Columbia area
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All participants must fill out an application