Applications are now being accepted for the 2024-25 cohort of the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council.
The Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council is an opportunity for the youth of Marion County to amplify their voices and provide input and diverse perspectives to Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. Applications for the council — which is a partnership between Marion County Commission on Youth (MCCOY) and the City of Indianapolis, with additional support from the Lilly Endowment — are being accepted until April 14, 2024.
“The Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council is a resource for students and leadership alike,” Hogsett said in a statement. “It prepares young people for the roles they will one day assume while permitting officials like me an opportunity to learn from a younger generation’s unique experiences and concerns.”
Facilitated by MCCOY, the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council serves two purposes, including empowering Marion County youth to be civically engaged and nurture a sense of civic responsibility as well as an active advisory group to the mayor and city government, helping keep city leaders engaged with the issues of young citizens.
“The Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council serves as a vital bridge between our city’s leadership and its youth residents,” MCCOY Executive Director Liz Coit said in a statement. “Through the Council, we are investing in our young people by developing their leadership skills, connecting them with opportunities to engage with city leaders, and ultimately giving them an opportunity to make a real impact in their communities.”
If selected, council members are expected to attend monthly meetings for leadership development and community building. The meetings occur once a month on Saturday mornings during the traditional school year. Council members will also participate in youth-led initiatives impacting the Indianapolis community.
Application process
The Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council is open to incoming high school sophomores, juniors and seniors residing in Indianapolis. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on April 14, 2024. Applicants will be notified about an interview by May 1 with 48 hours to respond and claim their spot; however, applicants may receive a request for a phone screening prior to May 1.
Interviews for the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council are scheduled for May 9 from 5-7 p.m. and May 11 from 9 a.m. to noon. Once chosen, the 25 council members will be notified by May 31. Orientation begins in August.
Interested students may fill out an application here. For more information, visit mccoyouth.org.
Contact staff writer Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on Twitter @chloe_mcgowanxx.
