fbpx

Skip to main content

Equity. Quality. Collaboration.

About

Advocacy

• • •

Minnesota Youth Council

Youth leadership: Minnesota Youth Council

In 2013, the Minnesota Legislature formally recognized the work of the MYC, passing into law the Minnesota Youth Council Committee Bill, which establishes the MYC as a voice for youth to provide advice and recommendations to the legislature and the governor on issues affecting youth and to serve as a liaison for youth around the state to the legislature and the governor.  Read more about the work of the Minnesota Youth Council Committee here!

2023: Support the creation of the Minnesota Youth Advisory Council

In 2023, exciting new legislation has been introduced to create a Minnesota Youth Advisory Council, which would further invest in this work and institutionalize youth voice in a new and innovative way. The Minnesota Youth Advisory Council bill is carried in the house by Representative Feist (HF 158), and Senator Cwodzinski in the Senate (SF 194). We believe that by shifting to a model like our ethnic councils, we can ensure youth voice is centered in as many decision-making spaces as well! 

Why is this exciting? 

  • Many marginalized and underrepresented groups have an institutionalized presence in our government; young people do not! 
  • This bill establishes the Minnesota Youth Council as the first Youth Advisory Council of its kind in the country. It would cement youth voice and leadership within the government, as opposed to being funded and hosted in a non-profit organization.
  • Creates the opportunity to expand access for students to testify, shape policy, and work with our decision-makers for the foreseeable future. Expands access and increases transparency and accountability with those we elect. 
  • Provides opportunities to hold well-resourced public forums with students, engage in awareness and outreach campaigns, etc.
  • Expanded age parameters to represent our young voters

Advocate For AmeriCorps

Across the country, AmeriCorps programs, including Alliance Promise Fellows and VISTAs, engage more than 80,000 Americans in intensive service each year. Since the program’s founding in 1994, more than 1 million AmeriCorps members have contributed over 1.4 billion hours in service across America while tackling pressing problems and mobilizing volunteers for the organizations they serve. National service delivers incredible results in our country, and needs YOUR support to continue to thrive in our communities.