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Cape Coral Youth Council outlines mental-health survey, fundraising and community projects
Summary
The Cape Coral Youth Council presented its quarterly report Aug. 27, detailing a senior mental-health survey of six high schools, a calendar of service projects including Adopt the Road and Love Locks, and a fundraising push to send members to the National League of Cities conference in Washington, D.C.
The Cape Coral Youth Council presented its quarterly report to the Cape Coral City Council on Aug. 27, outlining a senior mental-health survey, a slate of service projects and fundraising plans to support a trip to the National League of Cities youth leadership conference.
The youth council’s senior member Cher Skorozak, speaking for the group, said, “This year for our senior project, we're gonna be doing a mental health project ... we're gonna send out a survey that consists of 11 questions regarding mental health to our six local high schools.” Skorozak said the survey will be distributed to Oasis High School, Cape Coral High School, Ida Baker High School, Island Coast High School, Mariner High School and Norfolk Myers High School; the council plans to present its findings to the city council, the charter school board and the Lee County School Board.
The presentation described additional programs the youth council will continue or begin this year, including Adopt the Road (bi-monthly cleanups of Santa Barbara medians from Pine Island to Tropicana), a “Love Locks” structure planned for Cultural Park and a junior project that will run booths at the city’s outdoor movie nights and a standalone Valentine’s Day event. Ambrielle Kalix, identified in the presentation as the youth council communications director, said social media pages are active and that a GoFundMe has been launched to support travel and project costs.
Council member Lastra, who serves as the council’s liaison to the youth council, praised the students and encouraged council members and the public to contribute to the fundraising effort. Council member Donnell and another council member who spoke during the remarks also commended the group’s outreach to schools and asked the council to promote the GoFundMe and the group’s Sept. 18 meet-and-greet at Nice Guy’s Pizza, scheduled for 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Why it matters: The youth council’s senior project aims to provide locally gathered data on high school students’ mental-health needs. The group intends to use the survey results to inform local school and city leaders and to direct future council outreach and programming.
Details and next steps: The senior project’s 11-question survey will be distributed across six high schools. The youth council also plans a holiday toy and necessities drive in collaboration with Children’s Network and repeated Adopt the Road cleanups; supplies for those cleanups are provided through the group’s partnership with Keep Lee County Beautiful. The Love Locks metal sculpture is proposed for Cultural Park; the council reported they have design specifications and are seeking a builder. The youth council’s next meeting was announced for Sept. 12 at 3 p.m. in council chambers.
Quotes in context: At the meeting, Lastra said she was “really proud of you” and encouraged council members to support the fundraising. The mayor was noted as unavailable to attend the students’ Sept. 18 fundraising kickoff because he would be out of town.
The report closed with a formal invitation for council members and community members to attend the youth meet-and-greet and to follow the youth council’s social media for updates and donation links.
