"Not about us, without us."
The San José Youth Commission is proud to share the highlights of our impactful 2023-2024 term as presented in our 2023-2024 Annual Report. This past year marked significant growth in youth representation and civic engagement throughout San José.
Strengthening Youth Voices in Government
In September 2023, the San José City Council unanimously approved an ordinance strengthening the Youth Commission's functions, powers, and duties—a major milestone in ensuring youth perspectives help shape city decisions.
Service to Our Community
From July 2023 to April 2024, our dedicated Youth Commissioners and Youth Advisory Council (YAC) members contributed an impressive 2,273 volunteer service hours to youth initiatives across the city. Our 11 Youth Commissioners averaged 128 hours each, while 54 YAC members across Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 10 dedicated countless hours to district events, policy research, and community outreach.
Key Initiatives and Accomplishments
Youth Participatory Budget Program
We developed recommendations for a Youth Participatory Budget Program pilot, gathering input from young people across San José about their funding priorities. Our Budget Summit helped convey these youth priorities directly to City Council.
Environmental Advocacy
Commission members collaborated with local organizations on environmental initiatives, including tree-planting events and community clean-ups. We also supported the creation and preservation of school and community gardens.
Gender-Based Violence Awareness
We partnered with local organizations to research and raise awareness about gender-based violence issues affecting youth, including sexual harassment, assault, and promoting healthy relationships.
Youth Priorities Survey
Our survey revealed important insights about youth awareness of available programs and resources. The results highlighted the need for better outreach—a gap the Youth Commission continues working to bridge.
Looking Forward
In the coming year, we'll focus on increasing civic engagement among San José youth through:
- Civic events and forums
- An expanded citywide youth survey
- Enhanced social media outreach
- Stronger partnerships with schools and community organizations
The Youth Commission remains committed to our mission of ensuring youth voices are heard in San José's decision-making processes.
Want to get involved? Visit www.sjpl.org/YouthCommission or email YouthCommission@sanjoseca.gov.
Add a comment to: Youth Herald: 2023-2024, A Year in Review: Making Youth Voices Heard in San José