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Tempe'area youth group presents priorities on DEI, sustainability, homelessness and teen mental health
Summary
Tempe's Mayor Youth Advisory Council told the district it surveyed students and recommends educator DEI training, better promotion of environmental programs, destigmatization and supports for youth experiencing homelessness, and exploring a Mental Health Friendly Cities framework.
Members of Tempe's Mayor Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) presented their annual updates to the Tempe Union High School District governing board, summarizing student'led work on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), environmental sustainability, unhoused solutions and teen mental health.
MYAC leaders said the commission is about 30 students strong and highlighted recent events including Tempe Youth Talks (about 150 attendees) and a youth resource fair. The DEI subcommittee urged educator training on mitigating microaggressions and asked the district to continue supporting diverse student clubs such as Gay'Straight Alliance and the Black Student Union.
On environmental sustainability, students urged better promotion of city programs and campus improvements like shade from native plantings and canopies. The unhoused solutions group reported roughly 60 survey respondents and said 14% of respondents reported experiencing homelessness or food insecurity; they recommended destigmatization events, messaging and continued partnership with McKinney'Vento services.
The mental health subcommittee reported that 73% of survey respondents said they or a loved one had experienced a mental health disorder while 67% said resources were readily available; the group recommended exploring the Mental Health Friendly Cities framework and expanding Care 7 youth specialists.
Board members thanked the students and asked for copies of the written recommendations; Member Barraza asked that the MYAC email the district the report so the board and staff can follow up. The students said an annual report will be posted on the city website and announced a September kickoff retreat for new commissioners.
