Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Youth Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sheridan youth council asks city for marketing, budget support after presentation to council
Summary
Youth organizers and two student members presented Sheridan Rising Together for Equity’s youth council to the City Council, asking for marketing help, inclusion in strategic planning and modest budget support; city staff offered social-media help and asked the youth to submit a short proposal with a dollar amount and program description.
Victoria Lopez Auna, the youth program organizer for Sheridan Rising Together for Equity, told the City Council on June 8 that the group pays youth participants and runs leadership, financial-literacy and mental-health programs to keep students engaged. "We pay them," she said, explaining that stipends help ensure consistent participation and provide financial-literacy benefits for young people.
Two youth participants gave personal testimony about the program’s impact. "This program has provided me with resources and workshops," said Stephanie Ba, a long-time participant who described how public-speaking and leadership training helped her. Miranda, another youth presenter, urged the council to help create meaningful volunteer and job-shadowing opportunities in the schools so more students can build resumes and feel connected to the community.
City Manager Devon Gregory praised the presentation and outlined two practical next steps: city staff will help with marketing and social-media promotion if the youth provide materials, and the council asked the youth to prepare a brief proposal that explains what they would do and how much funding they are requesting. "We want a proposal from you that says we propose to do X with Y amount of money," Gregory said, suggesting $1,000 as an example the council could consider including in the municipal budget process.
Mayor Sally Dana also offered a policy-level opportunity, proposing that a student or two be included in the city’s strategic-planning session so youth voice is represented in long-range priorities. Wendy Brockman, the city’s communications manager, offered to meet with the youth to develop a marketing plan and post program information in the city newsletter and social channels.
The presentation closed with staff and council members offering practical supports and asking for slides and materials to be sent to the city so those items can be shared with council and included in follow-up work. The council did not take a formal vote on funding the program at the meeting; city leaders directed staff to help the youth prepare a written proposal for consideration in budgeting and partnership discussions.
