Renaissance Youth Council: Youth in Power Empowering civic-minded young people to pursue and achieve change in their community. Our Youth Council responds to the desire of young people in the Bronx and beyond to confront issues they are passionate about and affect change while staying within the broader scope of the Renaissance mission: empowering youth to fully maximize their potential as productive and responsible members of society in their community.
Join us for the Youth Connect Tour (coming again soon) on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer! Youth Connect is a free event in each borough that links youth with positive activities, engaged peers, and community leaders. Don’t miss out! There will be music, dance, and dynamic speakers, all to inspire young people to #GETCONNECTED. We will also be honoring one young person in each borough with the Renaissance Youth Connect Leadership award! (See below for more info.) Funding for the 2021 Youth Connect Tour provided by New York City Councilmembers Vanessa Gibson and Mark Gjonaj, and the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development. For questions or to partner, email YouthConnect@renaissanceyouth.org or call (718) 450-3466. Media Coverage Good Morning America: "Dressing Room Reveal: This youth choir is sharing music with a message" amNY: "Bronx teens inspired to offer ‘disconnected youth’ hope in their communities" amNY: "Renaissance Youth Council sets dates for ‘unity tour’ to promote community involvement" ThisistheBronx: "Renaissance Youth Center - Connecting the Disconnected"
Objectives Strengthen the voice of young people in our community, increasing their ability to join the conversation in an impactful way in pursuit of outcomes that favorably impact the quality of life for their peer group. Provide invaluable exposure to local and city politics and unique opportunities to engage with government, NYPD, and community leaders and key stakeholders. Break cycles of power remaining in the same hands and end feelings of an inability to make a difference. Develop lifelong community organizing skills, including leadership, research, networking, and public speaking.
Councilmember Responsibility Commit to being present at all Council meetings barring school or health conflicts and dedicate additional free time to pursue Council objectives. Demonstrate accountability for your responsibilities and roles in projects where your councilmembers rely on your contributions. Attend and participate in community board and precinct meetings relevant to Council initiatives. Represent the Council and your peers with integrity, professionalism, and pridefulness on and off-duty.