Photo Credit: EverythingGP Staff

By Shane Clausing

Youth Advisory Council

City of Grande Prairie Youth Advisory Council recruiting for 2020-21 term

Aug 13, 2020 | 5:00 AM

The City of Grande Prairie’s Youth Advisory Council is recruiting youth aged 14-24 to join for the 2020-21 term.

The council is for youth of all experiences and backgrounds who want to inspire, affect change and have an impact on their community through advocacy and policymaking.

“The Grande Prairie Youth Advisory Council actually started out with the Grande Prairie Youth Council itself, and that was started off to give youth ages 14-24 a voice within the municipal government, in order to build a sustainable and viable pathway to tomorrow and to listen to voices of all ages, rather than just older people,” explained a Shubh Patel, a spokesperson and member of the Youth Advisory Council.

Patel says there are currently five to seven active members on the council.

The group has meetings four times per year and normally, members can expect to commit 4-5 hours a month in the council.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

“We meet every Wednesday right after school around 4:00 p.m. and they’re about an hour long. We basically discuss anything that’s pertinent or any challenges that the communities facing.”

The council discusses various topics that are important matters within the City of Grande Prairie.

“Just before everything happened with COVID, we were talking a lot about mental health and addressing the stigma around that, but right now we are diving into different challenges that our communities facing. Once we start up again, I want to bring up issues about opioid overdoses, voter turnout, ecological sustainability and what’s going on with the Black Lives Matter movement. There’s lots to come.”

Patel added that being on the council has helped him as he grows older and gains more life experiences.

“It’s really given me a voice in terms of advocacy. I’m really passionate about giving youth a voice and just speaking up for ourselves. It’s made me more passionate about addressing issues within the community.”

Youth interested in joining the council are asked to call 780-538-0380 or email youth@cityofgp.com.