The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Youth Council (CMYC) is the official youth advisory council for City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
In CMYC, high school students meet regularly to advise community leaders, represent and serve as a voice for Charlotte‐Mecklenburg youth, learn how to solve civic challenges, and join a diverse network of young civic leaders. All local teens are eligible to participate in CMYC.
CMYC is an innovative partnership between youth, local governments, schools, and GenerationNation, a Charlotte nonprofit specializing in civic education and youth civic leadership.
Our program
Annually, 100+ youth representing diverse schools, neighborhoods, and backgrounds.
8,500+ student contact hours annually.
100% of participants learn about local issues and possible solutions, talk with community leaders, meet people from other neighborhoods and backgrounds, learn skills to prepare for the future, and learn first-hand how the community works and how to help solve civic challenges.
As a result of their involvement, 95% say "I'm responsible for playing a role to make my school, neighborhood, and city better!".
44% average growth over year in knowledge about local government, community issues, needs of other schools/neighborhoods/people, and how to be an informed and engaged civic leader.
Projects
Organize and run committees and teams for City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, Community Relations Committee, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
Meet regularly to advise community leaders on issues, policies, and ideas impacting children and youth, our schools, and our community.
Educational field trips, service projects, and activities to further develop our civic leadership.
Inform students about local government and engage them in elections and local issues.
Youth Lead Charlotte-Mecklenburg, a youth civic leadership academy providing emerging leaders in grades 9-10 foundations in civic leadership and knowledge to prepare for active leadership in CMYC.
Alumni network connecting young civic leaders after high school into college, career, and civic life. Alumni mentor CMYC, attend CMYC events, and participate in annual Alumni Q+A: College, Career, and Civic Life.
Involvement in NC Youth Council, NC Youth Legislative Assembly, National League of Cities, and other initiatives.
Special events Celebrate Youth Leadership, Annual Civic Leaders Breakfast, Candidate Forum for Youth, dinner summits with officials, and other civic activities.