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Mayor's Youth Council

The Mayor’s Youth Council (MYC) uplifts youth voices, highlights youth priorities, and increases youth participation in city government.

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The Mayor’s Youth Council is a program designed to empower Boston’s young people to become future leaders. MYC aims to bridge the gap between young people and local government by providing them with a platform to voice their opinions, contribute to policy discussions, and actively engage in city and community initiatives.

ABOUT THE COUNCIL

MYC is a body of 60 high school aged City of Boston residents. As an MYC member, you will learn about City government firsthand by working with other like-minded young people, City officials, and community partners. This opportunity will allow you to make the change you wish to see from within local government.

Members meet throughout the month both as a Council, and in small groups, including several meetings per year with Mayor Wu. MYC membership is an excellent way to develop your leadership skills, learn project management, and get a head start on establishing your professional network. 

APPLICATION

Note: The application for the 2023-2024 Council year is now closed.

The 2024-2025 Mayor's Youth Council application will be posted soon! 

To be eligible to apply, you must be:

  • A City of Boston resident
  • Between the ages of 14 and 19
  • Not enrolled in college

MEMBERSHIP

ALL COUNCIL

MYC members serve a one-year term coinciding with the school year, from September to June. All members are sworn in by Mayor Wu and tasked with representing young people in their communities in City Government. They join a community of civically engaged youth from across Boston. Members will learn about local issues and connect with the people who work on them every day. They then have the opportunity to design and lead projects and initiatives aimed at addressing the issues most important to youth.

In past years members have advocated for policy changes by developing proposals and testifying before the City Council, developing apps and websites to make resources more accessible, and have hosted community events of all kinds. With the support of staff, City officials, and your fellow council members, you’ll have the opportunity to make a real impact in Boston. 

LEADERSHIP 

One third of the council are elected by their peers to serve as leaders of Committees or appointed as members of the MYC Press team.

These paid opportunities allow members to:

  • Pursue their own vision for projects
  • Learn how to work in City Government 
  • Gain valuable experience leading a team of their peers. 

COUNCIL STUCTURE

Full Council

MYC meets in person once per month as a full council at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square and City Hall. These meetings range from meet and greets with fellow Council members to mixers with City officials, elections for MYC leadership, special guest speakers, and the End of Year Celebration. 

Committees
  1. Youth Lead the Change
  2. Arts and Culture
  3. Schools
  4. Community Engagement
  5. Public Health
  6. Economic Opportunity and Inclusion
  7. Environment, Energy, and Open Space
  8. Streets, Housing, and Neighborhood Development
Community Council

This group meets once per month and includes MYC members and youth representatives from community organizations. The goal of these meetings is to create a network of youth organizations and groups across the city who can share resources and opportunities.  

Neighborhood Events

The Council also hosts a series of community events organized by MYC members, aimed at connecting youth in their communities. 

Youth Lead the Change

Youth Lead the Change is a one million dollar per year youth participatory budgeting program. It is led by the YLC Committee of the Mayor’s Youth Council each year. In this process, young people determine how to spend one million dollars of the City’s capital budget by submitting ideas, developing project proposals, and voting in a city-wide election. 

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