2023-2024 Annual Report
M A Y 9 , 2 0 2 4
N E I G H B O R H O O D S E R V I C E S & E D U C AT I O N C O M M I T T E E COMMISSIONER T. LUONG
District 4
COMMISSIONER HOANG
District 3, Chair
COMMISSIONER
PRADEEPKUMAR
District 2
COMMISSIONER MISHRA
District 1
COMMISSIONER LIEU
District 5
COMMISSIONER JANAPATY
Citywide
COMMISSIONER
MASCARENHAS
District 10, Vice Chair & Outreach
COMMISSIONER SINGH
District 9
COMMISSIONER
GONZALES-MUÑIZ
District 8
COMMISSIONER M. LUONG
District 7
COMMISSIONER BANSAL
District 6, Communications 2
"Not about us
without us."
3 ENHANCING THE YOUTH
COMMISSION AND
YOUTH PARTICIPATION
IN THE CITY
On September 12, 2023, the City
Council unanimously approved an
ordinance strengthening the Youth
Commission's functions, powers, and
duties. 4
16 YOUTH ADVISORY
COUNCILS
The average number of hours spent by
55 Youth Advisory Council members in
Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 & 10 on
activities such as attending YAC
meetings, supporting district events,
and doing policy research.
128
The average number of hours spent by
the 11 Youth Commissioners on
activities such as attending general
meetings, coordinating YAC meetings,
conducting community outreach, and
crafting policy recommendations.
These councils provide valuable input
and insights on policies and programs
directly impacting young people.
From July 2023 to April 2024, Youth
Commission and Youth Advisory
Council members volunteered a
combined 2,282 service hours in
dedication to Youth Commission
activities and events.
5 OUTREACH PLAN
Promote Youth Commission and
Youth Advisory Council (YAC)
events, connect with communitybased organizations, and develop partnerships to support the
Youth Commission work plan.
Objectives
Channels
Strategies
Metrics for Success
Increase the number of youths who know
about the Youth Commission and
participate in YACs.
Promote via social media, develop flyers
and share information with schools and
youth organizations.
Youth Commission social media, school
distribution lists, local libraries, community
centers, Councilmember newsletters,
attending community events, and hosting
town halls and summits.
Engagement across social media, youth
participation in YACs and Youth Commission
events, and Youth Commission applications.6
YOUTH PRIORITIES SURVEY
The Youth Commission creates and distributes
an annual survey to youth throughout San José
that serves as a tool for gauging youth priorities
and sentiments towards various issues and
Commission activities. This year, the survey
collected almost 900 responses.
These responses illustrate opportunities for
outreach around program and resource
awareness. The Youth Commission's work plan
supports increasing youth engagement in the
design and implementation of community
programs and overall participation
in local government.
Do you agree with the following statement:
The local City of San José government reflects youth priorities.
Youth Self-Reported Understanding of the City's Efforts in the Following Areas:
7 DRAFT A RECOMMENDATION TO
DEVELOP A YOUTH PARTICIPATORY
BUDGET PROGRAM PILOT
• Gather youth input through various events and
initiatives to determine their priorities. • Convey youth priorities to City Council and other relevant municipal authorities. • Implement a City Budget Priority Session to gather insight and input from the youth on City
Budget priorities.
Budget Summit
8 INFORM AND CULTIVATE
ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVOCACY AMONG YOUTH • Collaborate with local organizations and City departments to launch a youth-led
awareness campaign on the impact of
environmental issues. • Participate in litter pick-ups, dumpster days, and other clean-up events in
collaboration with City departments and
organizations. • Collaborate with school clubs and
encourage the creation and preservation
of school/community gardens.
Oak Tree Planting 9
EXPLORE AND UNDERSTAND
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
SUPPORT SERVICES
Collaborate with local organizations
and City departments to conduct
research and support an awareness
campaign by youth around issues
including: • Sexual harassment • Assault / domestic violence • Healthy relationships 10 YOUTH IN ACTION
In addition to the work plan, the
Youth Commission has: • Participated in a joint special meeting with the Library and
Education Commission, issuing a
letter of support for the Children
and Youth Services Master Plan, • Developed policy
recommendations around youth
issues, • And hosted multiple youthfocused community events.
Youth Services Master Plan
Policy Recommendations
Community Events
Joined the Library and Education Commission
for a Joint Special Meeting on March 28,
2024, to review and discuss the Master Plan
and issue a letter suggesting
recommendations around communications,
access to information, health and safety, art,
vibrancy, and place-based initiatives. The
Chair presented alongside the City Manager’s
Office at City Council on April 9, 2024.
Developed multiple policy recommendations
on issues relating to road and bike safety,
menstrual equity, green canopies, BIPOC art
programs, guaranteed income, and public
comment limitations at City meetings.
Hosted multiple community events with Youth
Advisory Councils, such as the Green Planet
Conference, Policy Conferences, Career Fairs,
a Drug Safety workshop, and Financial Literacy
workshops.
11 Looking Forward
INCREASING CIVIC
ENGAGEMENT
AMONG YOUTH
Host various events and initiatives to foster a greater sense of youth civic engagement, including: • Civic events and forums • Citywide youth survey
12 WEBSITE
EMAIL ADDRESS
www.sjpl.org/youth-commission
[email protected]