City Hall Teaches Youth Civic Education

Youth in Local Government InitiativeCity of Santa Ana

Friday, September 18, 2009San Jose, California

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Gerardo Mouet, Executive Director, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency(714) 571-4204 * gmouet@santa-ana.org

Model Program For Youth Civic Engagement

• To create a program that teaches young people how to get involved in their local government, how City Hall works, how to approach solving community problems, and how to create policy.

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How Do You Get Past City Hall Intimidation?

• Develop a program for youth that makes sense to your community

• Getting the right mix of participants and City Coaches

• Developing interesting and interactive seminars

• Making it fun for all Getting to Know Each Other at OrientationSaturday, March 15, 2008

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Key to Success: Coaches that Mentor

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Developing Interesting and Motivating Program Content

• Kickoff with motivating relevant key note speaker• Interactive sessions are key to teach, when you

have limited time, how City Government Works• Give Mock City Council Assignments early so

students can begin learning their roles• Get a professional political consultant to teach

them the basic how to become an elected offical

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Interaction in Seminars is Key

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The Future

• Youth in Local Government Initiative was funded through private donations and took place in spring 2008

• Developing the Health and Social Responsibility for summer 2010 * A Youth Summer Program where deeper exploration of key policies in health as it relates to city government will take place

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