The Youth Commission has been working tirelessly during the last couple of months to establish ourselves as the legitimate and politically salient youth voice in City Hall. Most recently, we hosted a Youth Forum in collaboration with AmericaSpeaks (www.americaspeaks.org) to poll the youth response to the City’s budget cuts. Over 200 young people attended, were polled using wireless keypad technology and questioned Mayor Nutter for an hour on the impact of the budget cuts. Polling results also indicated that besides public safety, summer employment was the top concern of youth. For polling results and recommendations, click here.

We are especially excited the School District understands the importance of youth engagement, and attempts to incorporate the youth perspective. The Youth Commission is excited about the school district’s approach for a youth-adult partnership in strategic planning and even more excited about your bold, creative reform agenda for Philadelphia’s Public Schools. We look forward to contributing to the planning process and making Imagine 2014 a reality. If you have any suggestions or recommendations for Imagine 2014, please share with us via e-mail: Matthew.Zaccagni@phila.gov.

We are in talks with major political stakeholders to create a Youth Green Economy agenda. It is vital that youth give input now while long term plans are being developed, me must plug young people into the green-collar job track. If you have policy suggestions in this area, please e-mail Joseph.Hill@phila.gov.

One of the findings at our Youth Forum was that summer employment is one of the main concerns of Philadelphia’s youth. With this in mind, the Youth Commission partnered with Rep. Tony Payton to devise a plan for a summer job fair which will be held in May. For more information or to volunteer please e-mail De’Ara.Balenger@phila.gov.

Youth violence and delinquency is on the rise in Philadelphia desperately beckoning support for intervention and prevention. The Youth PROMISE Act, sponsored by Senator Robert P. Casey, will enable Philadelphia to apply proven strategies to redirect youth away from delinquency, create safer communities and save money.

Please e-mail Joseph.Hill@phila.gov to learn more and to provide recommendations.

This is a law allowing 17 year olds who will be 18 on the day of the general election to vote in the corresponding primary. We are working with State Representative Tony Payton Jr., State Representative Mike Gerber and State Representative Babette Josephs, in the State Committee, to make sure the bill is reintroduced. Once the bill is reintroduced, we will submit a resolution to City Council encouraging the State to support the law. If you would like to involved in the lobbying process, please contact us.