TO: NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES
AND EDUCATION
COMMITTEE
FROM: Jill Bourne
SUBJECT: Youth Commission FY 2024-
2025 Annual Report
DATE: April 21, 2025
Approved Date:
4/30/2025
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the Youth Commission’s Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annual Report.
OUTCOME
The Neighborhood Services and Education Committee (NSE) will be informed of the current progress of the Youth Commission’s FY 2024-25 Work Plan and activities.
BACKGROUND
The Youth Commission is recognized as the official youth advisory group to the Mayor and City Council. With support from San José Public Library (SJPL), Youth Commissioners develop policy recommendations concerning youth and support youth who serve their community through civic engagement and participation in city-wide events and initiatives. The Youth Commission promotes resources and opportunities available to youth and provides equitable access and support to marginalized youth communities.
The Commission members meet monthly at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of every month except for July and December. The May meeting will take place on May 19, 2025, to account for the Memorial Day holiday.
The Youth Commission’s Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 was adopted and presented to the Neighborhood Services and Education Committee on September 12, 2024. The plan focuses on four key priority areas: Gender Based Violence and Safety, COMMITTEE AGENDA: 05/08/25
ITEM: (d)2
NEIGHBOARHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
March 17, 2025
Subject: YOUTH COMMISSION 2024-2025 ANNUAL REPORT
Environmental Advocacy, College and Career Pathways, and the Youth Commission Innovation Committee.
This report will provide an overview of the Youth Commission’s work plan progress and activities in advancing their key strategic goals.
ANALYSIS
This year, the San José Youth Commission and Youth Advisory Council (YAC) members built upon previous momentum to bridge the gap between youth and local government through targeted committee work, community engagement, and policy recommendations.
Our annual Youth Priorities Survey collected 463 responses with an 82% completion rate. Youth identified their top priorities as violence and safety (4.27/5), poverty/housing/homelessness (4.24/5), and educational resources (3.97/5). Notably, we observed a positive 7.3% increase in youth who feel local government reflects their priorities compared to last year.
The Commission established four ad hoc committees to address key youth concerns.
The Gender-Based Violence & Safety Committee researched community resources, partnered with organizations like YWCA Silicon Valley, and organized an awareness event. The Environmental Advocacy Committee coordinated tree-planting projects, supported the Adopt-a-Storm Drain initiative, and organized community cleanups and an Eco-Swap event. In alignment with the Library's College and Career Pathways team, the College and Career Pathways Committee provided important feedback to the Library's program development by evaluating education and career programs and exploring partnerships between schools and city libraries to expand student access. The developing Innovation Committee is creating platforms for youth to tackle civic challenges and planning a pitch conference to showcase youth-led ideas for city improvements.
Each commissioner successfully led their district's Youth Advisory Council with unique initiatives. Highlights include District 1's civic engagement event, District 4's clothing drives and park cleanups, District 7's Creative Futures Fair showcasing youth-led businesses, and District 10's monthly park cleanups and candidate forums.
In total, Youth Commission and YAC members contributed 1,085 total volunteer service hours this year. The 11 Youth Commissioners demonstrated exceptional dedication, averaging 51 hours each on activities including general meetings, YAC coordination, and policy development. Forty-one Youth Advisory Council members averaged 13 hours each, participating in YAC meetings, district events, and policy research.
NEIGHBOARHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
March 17, 2025
Subject: YOUTH COMMISSION 2024-2025 ANNUAL REPORT
YAC participant satisfaction is exceptionally high, with 97% rating the program 4 or 5 out of 5. Feedback highlights three key strengths: collaborative teamwork, efficient organization, and open communication. The Youth Commission remains committed to expanding youth civic engagement, strengthening community partnerships, and ensuring youth perspectives are incorporated into city decision-making.
The full 2024-2025 Annual Report is included as Attachment A, which provides comprehensive details on all initiatives, district activities, and youth priorities.
COORDINATION
This memorandum has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office. /s/
Jill Bourne
City Librarian, Library Department
For questions, please contact Megan Maloy, Senior Librarian, San José Public Library, at [email protected].
Attachment:
A. 2024-2025 Youth Commission Annual Report