Stories from Beyond California

Learn how local agencies from around the country are successfully involving youth in the civic, economic and political life of their communities.

• The First Finnish Youth Jury: Final Report (from Seija Ollila's blog on March 17, 2011)
  Lead by trained group professionals, a jury of 16-19 year olds gathered together for three days to discuss the theme, "Involvement in the School Community." After wide-ranging discussions and hearing witnesses, the jurors presented a total of 16 suggestions for developing school community. "School community" was defined as where learning isn't just for academic achievement, but learning for life and where everyone is ok the way they are and everyone cares for each other.
• Hampton, Virginia created two part-time positions for teens as Youth Planners in 1997.
  The Youth Planners work fifteen hours a week after school for two years and are responsible for overseeing the youth component of the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
• DoRight Leadership Corps Youth Conduct Sustainability Assessments tells about how DoRight Leadership Corps mobilizes youth to act on sustainability efforts in their communities.