Fresno County youth face an uncertain future. We need their voices to guide us | Opinion
Should we listen to youth?
According to Alexander Hamilton, “The fabric of American Empire ought to rest on the solid basis of the consent of the people. The streams of national power ought to flow immediately from that ... original fountain of all legitimate authority.”
Does the “consent of the people” include youth? Are they capable of civic intelligence? Do they know themselves and their community well enough to make informed decisions and contribute to the common good? Students have this capacity, if they learn democratic skills and American civic values to govern themselves and their community, with opportunities for guided practice, solving real problems and serving those in need. Should they be included in the “original fountain of all legitimate authority?”
From 1999 to 2010, Jim Coiner and John Minkler led the Fresno County Youth Service Council, sponsored by the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools and local school districts. This included an annual Youth Summit at Wonder Valley Ranch. Council members led and supported many civic engagement projects to solve problems facing youth in the Central San Joaquin Valley.
At the 2001 Summit, then-County Superintendent Peter Mehas challenged the council to facilitate a gathering of 750 youth at the Fresno Convention Center to respond to the terrorist attack of 9/11. The result was a commitment by students to defend American values by preventing any hate crimes against students from the Middle East. At the end of that school year, Dr. Mehas reported no hate crimes in county high schools.
At the 2008 Youth Summit, students identified the dropout crisis as their primary issue, with almost 1/3 of students dropping out before graduation. They got a grant from State Farm Insurance for $72,340 to engage youth across California in dialogues about this crisis and what students proposed for solutions. Their dropout dialogue took place over four days with about 300 students and 20 expert advisors. Council leaders presented their recommendations to California Superintendent of Schools Jack O’Connell.
Two years ago, at the request of the Civic Education Center, then-County Superintendent Jim Yovino reinstated the Fresno County Youth Service Council because of the urgent need to improve civic education and to prepare students to earn the new state Seal of Civic Engagement.
The motto of the Fresno County Youth Service Council is “We’re creating our future.” When students experience civic engagement projects that make a difference, they gain a commitment to serve their school, community and nation. Without this sense of agency, how can students imagine a positive future and participate in creating it?
The younger generation faces complex dangers and an uncertain future. Wars, hunger, drug abuse and gun violence continue to spread. Our youth fear the impact of the climate crisis. Prejudice and hate continue to limit opportunities for teens. Many students don’t feel safe in their schools and communities. Increasing numbers of teens suffer from mental illness. Few students are well informed about how our government works and confident that they can create their own future.
Staff at the Civic Education Center and the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools invite youth leaders from diverse area high schools to the Youth Summit at Wonder Valley on Oct. 28-29 to recreate the Fresno County Youth Service Council. Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Michele Cantwell-Copher has partnered with the Civic Education Center to support these programs and promote the state Seal of Civic Engagement. Other sponsors include the Fresno Unified School District, Bonner Family Foundation, Kashian Family Foundation and the Clovis Veterans Memorial District.
A grant from the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools enables the hiring of 12 Youth Champions to support and report on civic engagement projects at their high schools. The Youth Summit and the Youth Council will give high school students a voice in issues that concern them youth in our Central Valley.
This is an opportunity to invite informed youth voice, tempered by American civic values. The Youth Council will implement a Youth Network to connect young leaders, civic engagement projects, community partners and opportunities for civil dialogue. Youth leaders will represent their generation in deliberations with community leaders, adding new ideas and energy for building a community with liberty and justice for all.
Including our students in Hamilton’s “original fountain of all legitimate authority” is the best way to empower the next generation to meet the challenges they will face in the 21st century.
As U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy said of American students, “It is time to harness their energy and idealism by offering them opportunities to serve, helping to guarantee the continued vitality of our democracy in the years ahead.”
When the American public and education leaders realize the benefits to students, to communities and to our nation, there will be growing support for the renaissance of civic education.