The 2019-2020 Mayor’s Youth Council (MYC), comprised of 85 high schoolers who will work to improve Boston’s communities and empower other young people, was sworn in last week by Mayor Walsh and the Department of Youth Engagement and Employment.
Among those sworn in was North Ender Olivia Ardito, who will be one of 16 youth directors and deputy directors selected by their peers to lead the Council’s committees. Ardito will lead the “Youth Lead the Change” committee.
The Mayor’s Youth Council is selected through an extensive application and interview process. The Council advises Mayor Walsh and his administration on policy and programming important to youth. Members will devote 8-13 hours per month for one year to meetings, impact and service projects, and engagement.
The 85 students come from all across Boston. The number representing each neighborhood is based on census data indicating where young people live. Other MYC members from nearby neighborhoods are Alaa Al-Ramahi and Maybelline Rodriguez from East Boston, Prescesh Morrison from Beacon Hill, Kingston Herbert and Prescott Herbert from Charlestown, and Isabella Berg and Santana Singh from Back Bay.
“I’m pleased to welcome our newest members to the Youth Council,” said Mayor Walsh. “Youth have the potential to be powerful agents of change and confront issues in their neighborhoods, school community, and within city government. When youth are civically engaged and included in dialogue that shapes decision making, they can be empowered to be part of and believe in democracy.”
Learn more at boston.gov/departments/youth-engagement-and-employment/mayors-youth-council.
