Nola Reporter

NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans today announced that effective this fall, the Mayor's Office of Youth and Families (OYF) and the Mayor's Neighborhood Engagement Office (NEO) will host the Junior Civic Leadership Academy (JCLA) during the first three sessions of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) session.  

JCLA is an engaging program that provides youth with an in-depth look at City government. The program includes hands-on demonstrations and presentations that give participants an insider’s view of how the City of New Orleans operates. With this knowledge, students will be better equipped to engage their communities and help improve residents' quality of life as members of MYAC.

The mission of MYAC is to advise and propose action items to Mayor LaToya Cantrell on matters relating to the youth of New Orleans. MYAC provides a platform for youth's voice in City government. The Council raises issues and concerns and proposes meaningful change important to the well-being of the City’s youth and the community at-large.

“The ability to deeply engage with government requires a foundational understanding of who is responsible for what and how the pieces are interconnected," said OYF Director Asya Howlette. "The Neighborhood Engagement Office has consistently provided a learning experience that puts young people face-to-face with the City's leadership. This is the same context the Office of Youth and Families believes all young people positioned to advise the Mayor should have. This formalized partnership is an investment into our youth so that they are prepared to advocate and lead.”

MYAC members meet once a month and can serve up to two years. Members represent all council districts, as well as public, private, parochial and home schools. Additionally, there is a representative cross section of race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status and various belief systems. OYF is committed to equitable and intentional outreach to ensure that MYAC reflects all New Orleans youth.

Potential applicants in 8th - 12th grades interested in learning more about City government and becoming a part of MYAC are invited to apply when applications open Tuesday, Aug. 1, by visiting nola.gov/myac.

Original source can be found here.