The Multnomah Youth Commission is now recruiting Youth Commissioners for its 2013-2014 term. Young people between the ages of 13-21 who are interested in policy, activism and community organizing are encouraged to apply for membership.
Applications are due by Monday, April 29.
Youth Commissioners serve a one-year term and commit up to 15 hours per month to help advise the county and 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.
Multnomah Youth Commission alumni, Ameneh Yasrebi said serving on the board helped her to be more engaged in her community.
“I can honestly say I have never seen a group so action- driven,” Yasrebi said. “I've seen talk-driven, but never action-driven. The group makes me want to do more. It makes me want to get out into the world, get my hands dirty, and make a difference."
Here is a current look at the Youth Commission’s three committees and their impact on the community.
Education/ Youth Voice Committee:
The Youth Voice/ Education Committee works to ensure the young people in our community are heard. This group tries to understand what young people in the community want from the Multnomah Youth Commission and their elected officials. The committee works hard to create and/or change policy that will better represent community youth. The work includes creating youth candidate and budget forums, organizing community meetings, and working on larger education policy issues.The Youth Voice/ Education committee also works with Cradle to Career to help stop chronic absenteeism among students.
Sustainability Committee:
The Sustainability Committee focuses on transit equity and transit access with an emphasis on finding continual funding for YouthPass, the free bus pass for Portland Public Schools high school students. This committee’s goal is to ultimately expand YouthPass to all of the other school districts within Multnomah County. The Sustainability Committee works closely with OPAL (Organizing People, Activating Leaders) on shared efforts. During the 2012-13 term, Sustainability Committee members received a series of training on environmental justice issues.
Youth Against Violence Committee:
The Youth Against Violence Committee works to provide youth input to prevent and stop violence in our community. Since 2011, the group’s main focus has been to plan the annual Rob Ingram Youth Summit Against Violence. The goal of the summit is to ensure that local leaders implement the policy recommendations made by this committee. The group also partners with school groups and youth community organizations.
Applications for the Multnomah Youth Commission are due by Monday, April 29.
Please contact Marc Fernandes, Youth Development Coordinator, at marc.fernandes@multco.us for more information.