From the Multnomah Youth Commission Facebook Page
Just had an email come through at work with 4 terriffic opportunities for youth in the Portland, Or., area. The email came via the Multnomah Youth Commission (MYCommission), a youth policy advisory committee that advises both the Portland City Council and the Multnomah County Commission. These are the youth activists behind the movement that secured funding to provide bus passes for all Portland Public Schools high school students and also led the charge to preserve the program through the end of the year when funding was set to be eliminated immediately. The leadership training they receive from the adult staff is outstanding and the ideas, initiative and implementation belong wholly to the youth. (Applications for MYCommission are now open, listed at the bottom of this post.)
One of these events, the Rob Ingram Youth Summit Against Violence, is named in honor of a dynamic youth advocate whose untimely death earlier this year shocked and saddened the community. We have tragically experienced a steady rise in violence against youth over the past year and this is the students giving voice to their concerns and they will be looking for solutions. Here are the opportunities (pretty much copied and pasted from the email).
2012 Jennifer Beegle Youth Involvement Award
Do you know a young person that is involved in their community? The Multnomah Youth Commission and the Citizen Involvement Committee of Multnomah County want to hear from you. This award will highlight the positive impacts youth have on their community, in memory of Jennifer Beegle, a former member of the Youth Commission who died in a car accident when she was 17. This award is focused on youth who volunteer in community based agencies, local governments, and places of worship but NOT school involvement (i.e. Drama Club, student government.)
Nominations are DUE March 21st, 2012.
Mayoral and City Council Youth Candidate Forum
There are several candidate races coming up for the City of Portland, including the Mayoral race. The MYC is hosting a youth forum at David Douglas High School on April 11, 2012 at 4:30 pm. The forum will be facilitated by youth to give young people an opportunity to engage their candidates, ask questions regarding youth issues and make their own decisions of who they would vote for if of age. The event will also provide an opportunity for youth to register to vote if of age.
If you know youth who are interested in attending please contact the MYC for further information: multnomahyouth@gmail.com
Rob Ingram Youth Summit Against Violence
This is a summit for youth by youth.
We established the Youth Against Violence Committee (YAV) in response to the growing violence directed towards young people in the forms of gang, anti-gay and gender, bullying, and sexual violence. We are working with youth and adults throughout our community to change the way violence is viewed and dealt with. We are hosting the Rob Ingram Youth Summit Against Violence on April 21, 2012 at the Highland Christian Center (7600 NE Glisan Ave, Portland OR) from 10:00am -4:00pm (Lunch and snacks will provided.) This is the first summit of its kind created by youth for youth.
The first part of the summit is for youth only to caucus, build community, and consider youth driven policy recommendations. Invited elected officials and community leaders are welcome between 2:15 and 3:45pm to listen to youth’s stories of violence and engage young people in dialogue around how youth and adults can take steps to reduce violence in the community.
IF you know of a YOUNG PERSON (NOT ADULT) who might be interested have them register here: http://rob_ingram_youth summit_against_violence_2012.eventbrite.com
Multnomah Youth Commission: Applications Now Available
All applications are DUE April 30, 2012
The Board of County Commissioners, Portland City Council & the Commission on Children, Families & Community are happy to announce recruitment for the 2012-13 Multnomah Youth Commission. Please encourage any young person you know who will be between the ages of 13-21 (on August 1, 2012) to apply by April 30th.
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. The Youth Commission has five committees, Education, Health & Wellness, Sustainability, Youth Voice, and Youth Against Violence.
Application: https://web.multco.us/ccfc/multnomah-youth-commission-application
