Teens Take Action: A Synopsis of the PB Youth Assembly

     On Tuesday, September 27th, a passionate group of high school and college students from around District 39 attended a Participatory Budgeting Youth Assembly. From learning about PB to brainstorming their own ideas, attendees engaged in various aspects of the process in order to get a taste of what PB participation entails. Many left with a newfound sense of community engagement and enthusiasm about the potential establishment of a PB Youth Committee.

The PB Youth Assembly began with a presentation by District Committee members about the PB process.

The Assembly's Agenda

     Beginning with a presentation on the PB process, assembly participants learned about the various stages of the PB cycle. District Committee members reviewed the difference between capital and expense projects, as well as the goals of equity and civic engagement that remain at the core of PB. Teens asked questions about the feasibility of varying project ideas, the impact of PB on the neighborhoods served by the process, and the success of past PB cycles to familiarize themselves with the process and their newly established role in such. After brainstorming ideas for potential project proposals, the teens voted on their favorites and discussed why they believed the "winning" projects were deserved of government funding. Towards the end of the night, Council Member Lander addressed the crowd, speaking to the power of youth to effect change and the importance of local democracy within the larger workings of the nation's government.

Following the presentation, teen participants formed working groups and brainstormed ideas for PB project proposals. 

     Hasiba Haq, a newly appointed District Committee member and one of the leading organizers of the PB Youth Assembly, was particularly impressed by the large turnout of teen participants: "A lot of the time, I think what you notice at the [PB neighborhood] assemblies is that [they are] not as inclusive and diverse as you want [them] to be...It's important to engage people who don't always show up to these things or are aware of [them]...Especially with the youth here, it's really nice to see that they're from different neighborhoods and backgrounds."
    Many of the teen participants shared Hasiba's views. "PB is a really cool way to get together with other teens and young adults and make important changes in the community," says PB Youth Assembly participant Eliza Callahan, a high school junior from Carroll Gardens. Eliza found the assembly to be "really welcoming and engaging." After seeing how PB can serve as a powerful outlet for youth voices at the assembly, she has become eager to partake in a PB Youth Committee.

Teens Talk PB

    Among the most popular ideas for PB project proposals at the assembly was the development of a community center for teens of District 39. Such a center would not only allow teens of all different backgrounds from across the district to interact in a safe and accessible environment, but provide a unique location for after school arts programming and community engagement. Holding a district-wide internship and careers fair for students was another popular idea, as participants believed that more teens would strive for such opportunities if they were more informed about them. More winning projects included the establishment of "blue phone" police contact stations around parks and Subway stations, the creation of art galleries for local artists to display and sell their work in public libraries, and placing more trash cans along Ocean Parkway.
    Equity played an enormous role in teens' brainstorming sessions. Many popular project proposals were community-oriented, as participants prioritized the accessibility of PB for residents from all parts of the district. There was also an emphasis on teen voice and empowering high school and college students to share their opinions about government and democracy by facilitating dialogues on national issues in safe community spaces.

How Youth can Stay Involved

     To assembly participants and other teens interested in becoming more involved in the PB process, there are many ways for you to engage with PB. First, consider joining the PB Youth Committee, from which you can voice your ideas for neighborhood improvements and work with fellow teens to see them through. You should also check out upcoming PB events, which provide unique opportunities to interact with experienced PB participants and meet residents from across District 39. Moreover, there are numerous opportunities to volunteer at PB events throughout the cycle, particularly during Vote Week. And of course, make sure to vote! The voting age for PB is 14 years and up; regardless of whether you can vote in the General Election or whether you are a citizen, all district residents who meet this age requirement have the unique opportunity to vote in PB. And lastly, reaching out to all sects of District 39 is a primary goal of PB, so spread the word about the process and get your community involved!

Teens were particularly interested in establishing after school arts programming for high school students.