Goals

· Form a Youth Advisory Commission comprised of 20-25 Brooklyn Park teens in grades 9-12 to: assist the

Coalition, provide advice on youth issues, plan forums and youth events.

· Coordinate planning among organizations currently serving the youth of Brooklyn Park including, but not

limited to, youth social service agencies, educational institutions, recreational activity providers,

counseling organizations, and businesses.

· Identify gaps in youth services.

· Engage Hennepin County more in the work needed for youth in Brooklyn Park. Network with the

Minneapolis Weed and Seed Phillips program for resources and ideas for youth programs.

· Encourage collaboration between organizations to maximize financial and staff resources. Seek out and

welcome the participation and support of all citizens; all cultural, educational, religious, and social

service organizations; all educational and governmental agencies; and business establishments within our

community.

· Research youth development best practices and community models for program implementation.

· Increase involvement of minority leaders in the work of the YOC, including both adults and youth.

· Seek other financial resources to adequately fund programs.

· Develop new communication tools to inform youth of opportunities.

· Increase public awareness of the role and importance youth programs have for developing and sustaining

healthy youth and improving quality of life for Brooklyn Park families.

· Collaborate with the corporate community in creating teen employment opportunities and other job skill

training programs, internships, or job shadowing experiences.

· Focus youth recreation programming on a wider scope of youth in the community.

· Hold a youth summit in the summer of 2007 for leadership identification and development.

· Plan a youth and adult summit for spring 2008 to encourage and expand upon initiatives, communicate

ideas, and for the development of relationships for long-term continuance of goals and ideas generated.