Monday night's Common Council was an interesting study in local politics for a number of reasons, but from a youth development standpoint it was a very exciting one as the Mayor and Council appointed the 4th cadre of teens for the City's Youth In Government program. The program, which we believe is only one of a small few in the state, allows young people under the age of 18 to be placed on different boards and commissions within our local government. Although they don't have voting privileges (except for the Youth Services Bureau Advisory Board which is mandated by state statute) they have full "voice" and can speak up, ask questions, and encourage certain action like any other member of their board. This year 21 students were placed on 11 different boards and consist of students from Middletown, Mercy, and Xavier High School.
Before the Council meeting, the Middletown Youth Services Bureau held a one hour training for each appointee to go over the importance of the program and how to effectively use their role to advocate for youth issues and change the community perceptions of young people for the better.
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