Youth Commission

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1. What is an IMPACT project?

   IMPACT projects are youth-led projects that bring awareness and solutions to issues faced by youth in Saint Paul. Each year commissioners select issues they are passionate about to focus their IMPACT Project on.    

   Past Youth Commission projects include:   

   • Youth Mental Health Accessibility – The Saint Paul Youth Commission surveyed over two hundred youth living in Saint Paul in the Spring of 2021. The goals of this survey were to see if youth were able to access Mental Health support as needed during the pandemic. Secondly, how has the pandemic affected youth and their mental health. The next step in this project is to work with state legislators to advocate for more mental health workers and counselors in our public schools.   

   • Youth 4 Change – The Saint Paul Youth Commission secured a 500 grant from Minnesota Alliance with Youth. The grant was used to purchase hygiene products to make hygiene kits. The commissioners gave over two hundred kits to youth living in the North End neighborhood.   

   • To Battle Destruction – The Saint Paul Youth Commission educated their peers about global warming and what we can do to help. The commissioners also ran a campaign to get youth out to help with the Citywide spring clean-up.   

   • The Saint Paul Youth Commission met with State Senators and State Representatives, advocating for a brand-new community center to be built in the North End neighborhood.   

   • The Saint Paul Youth Commission worked with Parks and Recreation staff to review current behavior and re-entry policy. The commissioners submitted new behavior and re-entry policy for consideration.  

   • Conducting a study on teen access to transit by giving bus passes to high school students. Commissioners presented to the Met Council, the Mayor’s Educational Leadership Team, and the SPPS School Board.   

   • Preventing bullying at Arlington Hills Community Center by teaching peer mediation, organizing a spoken word event with Brother Ali and Guante, and funding spoken word workshops in partnership with TruArtSpeaks.   

   Saint Paul Youth Commission has partnered with:

   • The Saint Paul Youth Commission voted to support the MN Voice School Board Candidate Forum, the Youth Commissioners wrote the questions and emceed the event.   

   • The Saint Paul Youth Commission voted to support the new tobacco ordinance being considered by City Council in the fall of 2021. The Saint Paul Youth Commission submitted a letter of support to City Council.   

   • The Saint Paul Youth Commission voted to support the Youth On Board Initiative. The Youth Commission served in an advisory role providing youth voice, insights, and strategies.   

   • Four Youth Commissioners served on Mayor Carter’s Community First Public Safety Commission.   

   • The Saint Paul Youth Commission partnered with Sprockets to help facilitate the 2019 school board candidate forum. Commissioners lead the Q&A session with candidates.  

2. Previous Youth Commissioners’ Testimonies 

   "SPYC was one of the most beneficial extracurricular activities that I joined in high school. It was through SPYC that I discovered how significant youth voices are. Prior to joining SPYC, I questioned the impact that I can make as a young person. However, through organizing and hosting IMPACT projects, I realized that youth have the power to change the future because we have perspectives and experiences that adults do not." – Mai Xee 2018-2020  

   “SPYC has helped me put my dreams into action. I was able to create a project that I was very passionate about come to life. This is only my first year in SPYC but I would recommend for students who are passionate about change and the betterment of their city to join because SPYC is such a great platform to start at. " – Yusanat 2018-2019  

   “SPYC builds social skills” – Brooklynn 2018-2019    

   “I have participated in the youth commission for 2 years now and it’s been an amazing experience. I’ve had so many opportunities to meet both youth and adult leaders in the community. This has helped me build strong relationships and develop my networking skills. I’m so thankful for the youth commission and the helpful access to bus cards. Thank for making this program possible!” – Zarina 2016-2018