Partnering with the city of Carbondale, and Carbondale Community High School District # 165, the Carbondale community Cabinet has released the nomination form for the community’s youth to serve on the first every Carbondale Youth Congress. The Carbondale Youth Congress is a representative body of high school age youth that provides a platform for equitable youth voice and influence in decisions, policies and initiatives relevant to their lives acts.
The CYC will also act as an advisory group to the Carbondale Mayor’s office.
Community Partners: The Carbondale Youth Congress acts as a central planning body that allows youth to engage different groups within their community. In addition to working with the Mayor’s office, the Carbondale Youth Congress will work in partnership with groups such as Community Cabinet for Children and Youth and high school leadership groups. Other possible partners include: faith-based youth groups, the Carbondale Public Library, the City Manager’s Office, City Council, Park District, Rainbow Café, and the Dentmon Center
Priorities: High school students identified the following priorities during a LIstening Tour executed in the Spring of 2023, Initial priorities of the Youth Congress include:
- Identifying and creating safe, welcoming, and supportive” third spaces” for young people in the community to congregate, socialize, and participate in healthy, safe activities
- Increasing the activities available to high school-age students outside of school hours in the community
- Advocating for community policies that improve opportunities and the quality of life for youth in the community
- Building youth leadership and increasing opportunities for meaningful youth volunteerism
Membership: The Carbondale Youth Congress will include up to 24 members ages 13 to 18 from the community.
- Youth Congress positions are filled through an application process.
- Youth Congress members must live in the Carbondale High School district but do not need to be enrolled in the High School to be eligible.
- The membership for the Carbondale Youth Congress should be representative of youth in the community
- Those interested in membership in the Carbondale Youth Congress should indicate this by submitting an application
- Nominations can be done 3 ways: self nominate, peer nominations, or adult CCHS staff member
- Nominations/ application forms can be done on a printed form or submitted electronically
- Youth Congress terms are 2 years. A senior selected for the Congress can serve during the year following their graduations
- For the initial Congress, applications will be reviewed by a selection committee utilizing identified criteria. The majority of the selection committee should at least 4 youth representatives ( age 21 or younger) and, one representative from the High School, the City and the Carbondale Community Cabinet for Children and Youth. Once established the Congress will establish their own selection process.
Adult representation
The Congress has three adult members/ representatives.. These include a representative from the High School, the city and the Children’s Cabinet.
Meetings: The Carbondale Youth Congress will meet at least once a month at the High School.
Students may nominate themselves or may nominate a peer. Adults in the community may also nominate a youth. No access the nomination form go to https://forms.gle/Dv9TgmKEKy3YCPRF7