In a time where the power of youth activism is more evident than ever, the North Liberty Youth Council (NLYC) serves as a reminder of the importance of youth voices in our community. Made up of many passionate and motivated young individuals, this group is determined to make a meaningful impact in the community of North Liberty, Iowa.
Founded in 2022, NYLC has quickly made its mark on the community. In their first term, they established two youth-centered events.
The first event was the Summer Summit. The Summer Summit was a mental health and wellness gathering for youth in North Liberty. The summit aimed to explore practical strategies for cultivating mental wellness and self-care.
The second event was an outdoor movie night. Hosted by the youth council, they aimed to provide fun and entertainment to North Liberty youth, while increasing engagement with city-provided events.
Following a successful first term, the group is continuing to pave the way for youth in their community. Mckenna Kelley, 11, is a member of the council. With this being her first year on the NLYC, she wasn’t sure what to expect. She quickly realized how beneficial being a part of this group was.
“I’ve gained [many skills] from being on the youth council, [including] better leadership and communication skills, along with more involvement within my community,” Kelley stated.
Asher Bonner, 11, is also a member of the NLYC. They joined the youth council last year, in hopes of creating change.
“I wanted to join because I wanted to incite change in North Liberty. It felt like a great way to get my voice out there as a young person,” Bonner reflected.
They describe their experience with the youth council as a fulfilling opportunity.
“North Liberty Youth Council has been focusing a lot on working on youth engagement to help with the isolation that youth have been feeling. Moving forward, we are going to continue to do projects that will help with that,” stated Bonner.
Looking towards the future, the North Liberty Youth Council shows lots of potential. With ambitious plans for the future, and a drive to better their community, they are poised to become a prominent force of change in their community for years to come.
