Commissioners reported progress building the Youth Human Rights Commission and outlined a recruitment strategy that pairs youth commissioners with College of the Redwoods students.

Committee members said the youth commission currently has three commissioners — all from Southern Humboldt — and that local partners include the College of the Redwoods’ social work and addiction-studies program, which has provided three students to help with outreach and service hours. Commissioners described a multi-pronged plan: updates to the commission’s website and social media, a recruitment packet and outreach flyers, and outreach calls to all Humboldt County high schools to identify an adult "champion" who could support youth recruitment on campus.

Committee members said they plan one in-person and one virtual meeting per month for youth commissioners and will track whether each high school can designate an adult contact and a youth champion.

Why it matters: The effort seeks to broaden geographic and demographic representation among youth commissioners and to institutionalize recruitment through a college partnership that supplies students and continuity for outreach work.