ST. LOUIS — A group of teenagers are getting the opportunity to work and learn in St. Louis City Hall this summer.
Mayor Tishaura Jones recently selected her second group to serve on the Youth Cabinet. Members work together to strengthen their communities through volunteer service projects and increased communication with municipal government leaders.
Many governmental bodies have cultivated similar groups and opportunities for youth to voice what they want to address in their communities.
The cohort is for one year but students are eligible to roll on for a continuous term. There are 20 members in the new cohort and two are returning from last year.
This year, the cabinet will focus on gun violence by advocating for more gun safety lock giveaways and programs. With it being an election year, members will also focus on voter registration and getting people to the polls.
During its first year in 2023 members focused on urban renewal and conservation and helped plan 314 Day.
"We're allowing them to lead what that is so that civic engagement can be out in the community learning more about policies and procedures. Putting a bill to the board of alderman. They will the opportunity to god own whichever path they want in order to engage youth," said Lakesha Robinson, senior advisor or Children, Youth, and Families with the city.
Robinson added that this year, they decided to add five positions for young people who may live and attend school outside of the city.
The cabinet meets with Mayor Jones quarterly, but she also brings the young leaders in if she needs their feedback.
Seventeen-year-old Gabrielle Hurt who attends Rosati Kain Academy said she was looking forward to working with the Mayor.
"I think that having access to her and her staff has been a great resource for us because it has given us a lot of perspectives and it's and it has also given us an opportunity to share our concerns and our thoughts with people who actually make decisions in our city," Hurt said.
The group has already started working on their teen youth summit on 314 Day next March.
Interested students can learn about eligibility and how to serve on the city's website.