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The Mayor's Youth Council provides Camden's young people with an active role in addressing youth issues. High school juniors and seniors are selected to serve as volunteer representatives of every neighborhood in the city. The young advocates outreach to Camden teens, inform them of existing opportunities and listen to suggestions on what the city can do to improve its youth oriented efforts.
The City of Camden, in partnership with various non-profits, has sponsored the Mayor's Youth Council since 2008. The MYC meets twice a month to participate in team building trainings, leadership seminars and public speaking workshops. Forty representatives are appointed each spring for a one-year term. During the summer, they research youth programs available in their neighborhoods and conduct a survey of their peers to identify important issues affecting Camden's youth. Throughout the school year, they meet with each other and local youth organizations to discuss the issues identified from their survey. Mayor Menino meets with the Council to listen and respond to their issues and regularly invites the Police Commissioner, Human Services Chief and School Superintendent to be part of these meetings so they can address issues immediately.
The MYC's Fall Youth Forum is an opportunity for young people to bring their ideas and solutions directly to Mayor Fasion and other city officials. At the forum, the MYC sits down with the city's top authorities on an issue and asks questions based on their research, meetings and personal experiences.
Each year, the MYC plans a youth summit to gather young people from all over the city in celebration of their accomplishments. Speakers, entertainers, skits and resource tables highlight youth resources and opportunities.
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