Chase Youth Commission highlights mental‑health projects, civic engagement and awards

The Chase Youth Commission briefed the committee on its activities, including a youth wellness showcase, a civic‑engagement focus, an international student exchange and the annual Chase Youth Awards.

Why it matters: The commission provides leadership, civic training and community engagement opportunities for local teens and partners with city and county officials on youth issues.

Susan Nelson (executive director) and Sarah Clements summarized the year’s work: the commission is jointly appointed by the city and county and concentrates on projects that encourage civic participation, leadership and student‑led problem solving. Commissioners identified youth mental health as their focus this year and partnered with the Northeast Community Center and OnTrack Academy for a youth wellness showcase that included mental‑health awareness, food security and inclusion topics and that connected students with elected officials.

The commission sent six youth commissioners to the Legislative Youth Advisory Council’s Action Day in Olympia; organizers said the students met with state legislators to discuss youth concerns. The Chase Youth Awards ceremony April 29 at the Fox Theater drew about 893 people, the commissioners said, recognizing K‑12 youth across multiple categories. The commission also supports a cultural exchange with Cayey, Puerto Rico; Spokane students travel in July and host Cayey students later in the month.

Nelson said the commission is also evaluating how to pair students with city council partners to make the city‑council mentorship more consistently productive next year.

Ending: The commission asked for ongoing council support to sustain youth leadership programs and civic engagement opportunities.