Youth Forum Lets Students Take Their Concerns Directly To Elected Officials

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Young people from across Westchester County met with federal, state, county, and local officials.

The unique opportunity took place Oct. 24 at the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle's inaugural Youth Leadership and Policy Forum, a daylong event at the club's Remington Clubhouse focused on policy ideas shaped by youth concerns.

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According to the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle, 70 people attended the forum. Youth developed and presented recommendations on mental health, gun violence prevention, artificial intelligence, social media, substance abuse and vaping, and career and job opportunities. The club said the event was organized in partnership with the New Rochelle and Mamaroneck school districts, and the Westchester and New Rochelle youth bureaus, with discussion topics drawn from youth surveys.

"These topics came directly from our young people, and this forum gave them an opportunity to help shape strategic, actionable solutions," said Becky Mazzanobile, CEO of Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle. "Our youths deserve to know that their priority issues can be brainstormed for better futures, and that elected officials are not only interested, but willing to take action to transform ideas into policy and legislation."

Participants worked in discussion groups across six topic areas, then presented proposals and answered questions from government representatives during an afternoon session. According to the club, that exchange linked students' experiences with policy discussions at the municipal, county, state, and federal levels.

"Young people bring firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing their generation," said U.S. Rep. George Latimer. "This forum gave them an opportunity to turn that knowledge into recommendations and gave public officials an important, welcomed opportunity to listen and learn."

For participants, the forum also offered direct access to decision-makers.

"Just having a space for us to be able to advocate for what we think is going wrong in the community, I feel like it's a good step towards real change in the community," said youth participant Ryan Gustas.

The forum also included voter registration, and the Club said 10 percent of participants registered. Other attendees included state and local officials, school leaders, and youth bureau representatives. Participants closed the day with group reflections on their findings and the discussions, reinforcing the program's focus on civic engagement and youth advocacy.

"Young people deserve more than a seat at the table. Their perspectives, experiences, and ideas must help shape the policies that will define their futures," said New York State Senator Nathalia Fernandez. "From ensuring the responsible use of artificial intelligence to addressing mental health and co-occurring disorders, we have a responsibility to listen to the next generation and incorporate their voices into solutions that better serve their needs and aspirations."