Mayor’s Youth Commission of Tacoma

Join the Mayor’s Youth Commission

Any student in middle or high school is eligible to apply so long as they either live or attend school in Tacoma. After you sign-up or attend a meeting, you will receive regular emails from the staff liaison. You do not need to sign up in advance to attend a Youth Commission meeting — just show up!

More About the Mayor’s Youth Commission

The Mayor’s Youth Commission is organized into four committees that guide the work committee members want to do in Tacoma. Each is led by a Chair and Co-Chair elected by the entire Commission. The committees are coordinated by the Commission Chair and Vice-Chair.

Committees

Justice and Safety

The Justice and Safety Committee strives to empower Tacomans to know their rights, improve school safety for students, and improve the safety for all Tacomans throughout the City.

Social Health

The Social Health Committee focuses on student mental health, and programs that create social cohesion in communities.

Environmental Health

The Environmental Committee focuses on advocating for environmental awareness and protecting Tacoma’s natural surroundings.

Education, Arts, and Culture

The Education, Arts, and Culture Committee focuses on strengthening educational outcomes and partnership with Tacoma Public Schools and creating opportunities for youth to share their art and culture in their schools and city.

Establishment

The Mayor’s Youth Commission was established by Resolution 40502 on December 10, 2019, to advise on policies, codes, plans, and practices through a youth-lens; providing an opportunity for youth to engage in policy making decisions and local government. The Mayor’s Youth Commission is a platform for youth in Tacoma to engage their local government and be a part of the important decisions being made right now that affect them and their community.

During the first six months of 2019, students from across Tacoma came together to discuss what changes they wanted to see in Tacoma and how they would achieve those changes. After months of conversation and learning, the students elected their inaugural 10-member leadership team in June of 2019 that would guide the full commission in its work. When the leadership team was sworn in, they were leading a Youth Commission of 70 Tacoma students.