The Multnomah County Commission on Children, Families & Community, Portland City Council, and the Board of County Commissioners are happy to announce recruitment
for the 2011-12 Multnomah Youth Commission. Please encourage any young person you know who will be between the ages of 13 & 21 on August 1, 2011 to apply by May 2, 2011.
Youth Commissioners serve a one year term and commit up to 15 hours per month to help advise the County & City on issues that impact the lives of their peers. Youth Commissioners are also in charge of implementing "Our Bill of Rights: Children + Youth" the nation's first Bill of Rights written by and for young people. The Youth Commission gets things done!
One young person said it this way,
"I can honestly say I have never seen a group so action-driven. I've seen talk-driven, but never action-driven...The group makes me want to do more. Really! It makes me want to get out into the world, get my hands dirty, and make a difference!" -Ameneh Yasrebi
Youth interested in policy, activism, community organizing, or making the community better can apply to be Youth Commissioners. This past year the Youth Commission's four committees made some major impacts on the community.
- Sustainability Committee helped secure another year of free transit passes to all 14,000 high school students within Portland Public Schools and begun next steps toward expansion in East Portland & Multnomah County school districts;
- YouthVoice Committee worked to get youth registered to vote and began their work on juvenile justice issues;
- Health and Wellness Committee advocated for access to comprehensive healthcare for all youth, especially through the utilization of our county's School Based Health Centers;
- Education committee continued to work on the Mayor's initiative to reduce the drop-out rate, college tuition equity and encouraged students to voice their perspectives regarding educational success.
Applications for the 2011-12 Multnomah Youth Commission are DUE May 2nd, 2011. Contact Marc Fernandes at marc.fernandes@multco.us or at (503) 988-5839 if you have any questions.