Updates from the Rochester-Olmsted Youth Commission
Just like every organization in and out of the city/county sphere, the Rochester-Olmsted Youth Commission (Youth Commission) has struggled to continue its work while maintaining the necessary health and safety standards to keep one another safe from COVID-19. Civic engagement and leadership are the primary objectives of the Youth Commission and thanks to the unqualified support from the Rochester City Council and Olmsted County Board of Commissioners, and despite the pandemic, the Youth Commission has evolved into a dynamic, responsive city/county commission over the past two decades.
From September 2021 through December 2021, Youth Commissioners were able to meet in person again … and what a reunion it was! Teens from all three Rochester public high schools, STEM Academy, Lourdes High School, and RCTC PSEO students were reunited in their regular meeting space in the Government Center. The sounds of eager young voices happy to see one another – happy to be together – happy to be making a difference - was a gift in an otherwise uncertain world. Due to the rise in COVID cases, the group began meeting online again in January 2022 – but they are undeterred from their passion for civic engagement.
Who makes up the Youth Commission?
Youth Commissioners come from all walks of life. They are diverse academically, culturally, ethnically, and economically. At least 28% come from low-income families, and some use “they, them” pronouns. Judgement is set-aside and diverse voices are heard at meetings when decisions are made on speakers, partnerships, initiatives, and advocacy. The pandemic has impacted the mental health of some, the financial stability of others and for many, their hope for a future beyond high school.
Youth Commission accomplishments
In 2021, Youth Commissioners worked hard to persuade the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners to adopt a resolution supporting a ban on conversion therapy in Minnesota. The City of Rochester had already adopted a resolution supporting a statewide ban with Youth Commission endorsement. The Minnesota State House had been supportive of a ban for some time, and there was hope that this time around, the Minnesota Senate would drop their opposition to the inhumane and ineffective practice. The end of the 2021 Legislative Session did not bring the desired result; however, Governor Walz issued an Executive Order in spring 2021 which effectively banned the practice in Minnesota for individuals under the age of 18.
Other topics tackled by the Youth Commission since the advent of the pandemic include:
- Partnership with Olmsted County Public Health on a review of Rochester Public Schools’ regulations regarding tobacco possession and use on school grounds. The goal is to provide education opportunities as an alternative to school suspension.
- Development of a program in partnership with DMC and the City of Rochester, with a proposed launch in the summer of 2022, to recognize small businesses that are working toward sustainability.
- Discussion with Mayo Clinic Oncologist on the importance of the HPV vaccine especially for children ages 11 – 15. This vaccine prevents many cancers that are spread by the human papilloma virus transmitted through sexual activity.
- Advocacy in Rochester Public Schools around curriculum that includes American history and the impact of institutional racism on American law and culture.
- Collaboration with the Rochester Healthy Community Partnership to implement effective social media messaging aimed at teens about masking and vaccine status.
- Creation of Living Room Tutors, an online tutoring program using teen volunteers that is free of charge to students in need of academic support.
- Creation of a Youth Resource webpage.
- Continued advocacy for clean energy which the Rochester City Council and Rochester Public Utilities have supported and are working toward.
- BeWellCovid, a website designed to provide support and resources for people of all ages.
- Successful advocacy for gender neutral restrooms in new Rochester Public School buildings.
- Continued work at Indian Heights Park in partnership with Friends of Indian Heights to clear invasive species (buckthorn and garlic mustard) so that native plants can once again thrive.
Thanks to support from Olmsted County and the City of Rochester, a youth voice is alive and well in our community.
Questions?
If you have questions, or if you know a high school student who would like to be involved, contact Mary Gorfine at gorfine.mary@co.olmsted.mn.us.