RECEIVED
Print APR 2 1 2026
CITY CLERKS OFFICE
CITY OF RICHMOND
Richmond Fund for Children and Youth Oversight Board
Application - Submission #1287937
Date Submitted: 4/20/2026
Richmond Fund for Children and Youth Oversight Board Application Please check all the boxes to indicate acknowledgment of the following statements:** I understand the responsibilities, powers, and functions of the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth Oversight Board and have reviewed the Department of Children and Youth webpage I am able to attend regular meetings of the Oversight Board which take place the first Monday of each month at 6:00 PM
Participation on the Oversight Board may require filing of the Fair Political Practices Commission's Statements of Economic Interest (Form 700). If necessary, I will comply with all filing obligations By checking the "I agree" box below, you agree and acknowledge that 1) your application will not be signed in the sense of a traditional paper document, 2) by signing in this alternate manner, you authorize your electronic signature to be valid and binding upon you to the same force and effect as a handwritten signature, and 3) you may still be required to provide a traditional signature at a later date.*
I agree
To the best of my knowledge, the information that is provided is true and correct:
Name (First M. Last)*
Darcy A. Wheeler
Date (MM/DD/YYYY):*
04/20/2026
Parent/Guardian (if under 18):
Name (First M. Last):*
Erin H. McCluskey
Date (MM/DD/YYYY):*
04/20/2026
Personal Information
Name:*
Darcy Wheeler
1am:*
between the ages of 15 and 24 over the age of 24
Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY):*
Home Address (Street Address, City, Zip Code):*
E-mail Address:*
Phone:*
How long have you been a resident of the City of Richmond or North Richmond?** 14 years
- Are you a parent of Richmond youth?*
Yes No
What gender do you identify as?*
Nonbinary
What ethnic/racial identity do you identify as? (Include one or more if applicable)* White
What is your primary language?*
English
What other languages do you speak?*
None
List any organization, club, or association you currently participate in and/or are a member of. Please specify if you serve as a current Board member or hold a leadership position:* - Young Artists Diploma Program at East Bay Center for the Performing Arts - School Newspaper - Student Ambassador - School tennis team - School Cancer Patient Support Club - Student Council Campaign Manager
Employment and Education
Note: Having work or educational experience is not required to join the Oversight Board.
Employer:*
N/A
Occupation:*
N/A
Employer Address (Street Address, City, Zip Code):*
N/A
Please list current school and/or prior education:*
Questions
Note: Each of the following questions has a maximum amount of words that is allowed. Any words beyond the maximum amount allowed will not be taken into consideration. It is recommended to type your answers into a word processing program like Microsoft Word or Mac Pages, and then copy and paste your answers into the areas below.
1. Please state why are interested in serving as a member of the Oversight Board* I am interested in serving as a member of the Oversight Board because I'm always looking for ways to learn about and get involved with bettering the community. For all my school life I've always tried to be involved with whatever forms of student leadership there was available to me, and this feels like an upgraded version of what I've already done. I've lived in Richmond my whole life, and so has my mom. This city means a lot to me, and after attending a city council meeting, it's appealing to me to be able to take part in discussions and meetings surrounding the city.
2. Please state your vision for youth in Richmond*
Something I want for the youth and community in Richmond is more opportunities, programs, funding, and attention for visual art and writing. Performing arts already has a strong foundation in the city, what with East Bay Center and other affiliated organizations, but there isn't that for visual art or writing programs, especially free ones or ones built into schools. I believe it's important for kids and teens to be able to have some sort of creative outlet, and be able to share that with their community in some way. It should also be accessible for everyone, regardless of their background.
3. According to Measure E, below are eligible uses for the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth. - If applicable, please mark one or more of the areas below that you have expertise or work/volunteer y experience in:
Violence Prevention and Response
Education and Job Training
Parent/Guardian Support
Media, Arts, Culture and Technology
Youth and Family Leadership, Organizing and Civic Engagement Health and Well-Being
Environmental Health and Justice
Outdoor Education and Recreation
Deportation Support: Support for young people and families experiencing or being threatened with deportation
4. Based on or in addition to the areas marked above, please list or expand on applicable skills and/or experience that you can bring to the Oversight Board (e.g. experience with eligible uses as listed above, strategic planning, financial management, youth organizing, teamwork, working with underserved populations, etc.)
While not having a super vast range of specific experiences, I do believe myself capable of quickly learning, making myself useful, and offering insightful opinions. And, I do have experience with both visual and performing arts in Richmond. Last year I interned at Richmond Art Center, after taking classes there for many years. I worked in the archives during my time volunteering there, which I believe offered significant insight into the art world of Richmond throughout the years. I've also been a diploma student at East Bay Center for the Performing Arts for two years. I attended the city council meeting on continuing the youth funding and I plan to continue to participate in leadership roles at the center. I attend Dinhmand iharo I taka an a etrana laadarchin mala se a ctrd -
5. Is there any additional information that you would like to share? If so, please list the information below
I'm a fourth generation Richmond resident, my great-grandpa lived and worked in the Richmond ship yards, my grandparents moved here and bought the house that my mom and I both grew up in. My mom is an artist in Richmond, and has been involved with the Richmond Art Center since her youth. She was a founding member of the Visual Artists of Richmond. My Middle School functioned very similarly to how I believe the council functions. I spent my years in Middle School learning Robert's Rules, discussing agenda items and motions with my small class.
References (Optional).
List name, email, phone number and relationship (e.g. teacher, coach, employer, mentor, etc.):
Reference #1
Erin McCluskey,
Reference #2
Reference #3