KUUMBA EFFECT

Youth Community Council


"An opportunity for kids to speak up and for adults to listen."


The Youth Community Council (YCC) is a youth-led leadership and civic engagement initiative designed to ensure that young people have a meaningful role in shaping the communities, schools, programs, and systems that impact their daily lives.


The Council creates opportunities for youth to move beyond being participants and become advisors, advocates, researchers, storytellers, and solution-builders. Through surveys, scorecards, discussions, presentations, and community engagement activities, youth identify issues that matter to them, gather feedback from their peers, and share recommendations with decision-makers.


The Youth Community Council operates on a simple belief:


Young people are experts in their own experiences and deserve a seat at the table when decisions are being made.

The Council welcomes youth from diverse backgrounds and experiences and seeks to amplify voices that are often underrepresented in public conversations.

Purpose of the Youth Community Scorecard


The Youth Community Scorecard is a tool created by youth, for youth, to measure how well communities, schools, organizations, and public systems are meeting the needs of young people.


Rather than adults deciding what youth need, the scorecard asks youth directly:

  • What is working well?
  • What needs improvement?
  • Where do you feel supported?
  • Where do you feel unheard?
  • What changes would make the biggest difference?


The scorecard gathers feedback from youth across multiple focus areas, including:

  1. Basic Needs & Wellness
  2. Community & Belonging
  3. Education & Learning
  4. Environment
  5. Equity & Social Justice
  6. Health (Mental, Emotional, Physical)
  7. Recreation & Sports
  8. Safety & Security
  9. Transportation
  10. Youth Voice


Why the Scorecard Matters


The scorecard transforms youth experiences into data, stories, and recommendations that can be shared with:

  • Schools and school districts
  • Cities and counties
  • State agencies
  • Community organizations
  • Nonprofits
  • Businesses
  • Elected officials
  • Funders and philanthropic organizations


The goal is not simply to collect information—it is to create action.


Results from the scorecards will help:

  • Identify strengths and gaps in communities.
  • Elevate youth perspectives.
  • Inform policy and program decisions.
  • Support funding requests and investments.
  • Create accountability for systems serving youth.
  • Encourage ongoing dialogue between youth and adults.


YOUTH SURVEYS for 5th to 12th Grade Youth

Youth SURVEY 1

Safety & Security

Assesses whether youth feel safe, protected, and supported at home, at school, online, and in their communities.

1 - Safety & Security

Youth SURVEY 2

Youth Voice

Evaluates whether youth are listened to, included in decision-making, and provided meaningful opportunities to influence issues that affect their lives.

Youth SURVEY 3

Transportation

Measures the reliability, affordability, accessibility, and safety of transportation options available to youth.

Youth SURVEY 4

Environment

Assesses how youth view the cleanliness, safety, sustainability, and overall health of the places where they live, learn, and play.

Youth SURVEY 5

Education & Learning

Examines the quality of learning opportunities, educational support, and access to resources that help youth achieve their goals.

Youth SURVEY 6

Equity & Social Justice

Evaluates whether youth believe people are treated fairly and have equal access to opportunities regardless of their background or identity.

Youth SURVEY 7

Community & Belonging

Explores whether youth feel welcomed, connected, respected, and valued in their communities.

Youth SURVEY 8

Recreation & Sports

Examines the availability, accessibility, affordability, and quality of recreational activities, sports, arts, and enrichment opportunities.

Youth SURVEY 9

Basic Needs & Wellness

Measures whether youth have access to essential resources such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare, and other supports needed to thrive.

Youth SURVEY 10

Health (Mental, Emotional, Physical)

Measures youth access to services, resources, and environments that support their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

SIGN-UP

Youth Community Council

Middle and High School

BENEFITS

  • Stipend for Participation
  • Hands-on exposure to local government and planning
  • Builds leadership and communication skills
  • Real-world civic engagement experience
  • Direct voice in development decisions
  • Learn how community input shapes policy
  • Strengthens confidence and youth voice
  • Adds civic experience to resumes and applications
  • Encourages intergenerational collaboration


YOUTH SIGN-UP Youth Community Council