Bellevue Youth Link - Youth Link Board, Youth Council and Action Teams

Bellevue Youth Link engages young people in Bellevue by giving them opportunities to develop leadership skills and make a difference in their community. Every two years, Youth Link hosts a city-wide youth involvement conference that brings together hundreds of students, educators, community providers, public officials, and business leaders to discuss important issues affecting young people. The event features guest speakers, youth-friendly workshops, and an afternoon priority voting session where young people vote on the most important issues facing their community. The results are then turned into a working road map that serves as an Action Agenda for the Bellevue Youth Link program.

The program is sponsored by the City of Bellevue’s Parks and Community Service Department and Bellevue Public Schools. Organizationally, Bellevue Youth Link consists of the Youth Link Board, the Bellevue Youth Council, and various Action Teams.

The Youth Link Board oversees the implementation of Youth Link's Action Agenda and is responsible for securing funding. It also advises the Bellevue City Council and City Manager on issues and programs affecting young people serving as a voice for youth to public officials. The Board is comprised of 6 youths and 6 adults appointed by the City Manager.

The Bellevue Youth Council is the largest organizational body of Youth Link. It plans monthly community service projects and special events throughout the year as well as oversees the work being done in the Action Teams.

Action Teams are smaller groups that focus on a specific project, event, or outcome that fulfill one of the goals identified in the Action Agenda. Examples of different action teams include a Teen Closet, Kids Care Coat & Book Drive, Youth Involvement Conference and Community Leadership Awards Planning Committee, Youth Link Marketing and Bellevue Youth Court.

For more information visit http://www.youthlink.com/ or contact Helena Stephens at [email protected] or Patrick Alina at [email protected].

Image: Prior members of BellevueYouth Council. Photo taken by Michael Kleven

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