CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Applications are now open for the Charleston Youth Council, which Mayor Amy Goodwin launched on Tuesday.
The council, which will consist of at most 13 members from within the city, will allow young people opportunities to engage with members of city council as well as take part in roundtable discussions and project planning.
“We’re making decisions that impact their future, and this administration believe if we’re making decisions that are going to impact the next generation, they should be there,” Goodwin said. “For far too long, we said youth should have a seat at the table, but that was just in words. We’re going to put it into action.”
Goodwin said forming the Youth Council goes back to her days as a candidate; she noted frequently interacting with young people while campaigning.
“They’re really well versed at what’s going on. They pay attention. Of course, social media has a big impact on them,” she said.
Members will need to be between 14 years old and 18 years old, and will serve one-year terms and no more than two consecutive terms. The young people will have to take part in at least 20 hours of community service as well as participate in at least six Charleston City Council meetings.
Goodwin’s office and six city council members — Ben Adams, Mary Beth Hoover, Joseph Jenkins, Adam Knauff, Tiffany Wesley-Plear and Chad Robinson — will be responsible for reviewing the applications.
The application is due by Sept. 20. The selected applicants will be announced in early October.
The application is available at https://charlestonwv.gov/youthcouncil.