Young Leaders Make a Difference in the Community
MYAC Members work closely with the Mayor year round.
The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) is a community and civic leadership/training program for teens. Dedicated to bettering the City of Fontana, the participants in the program work side-by-side with the Fontana City Council and learn leadership, local governance and organizational skills while taking an active role in addressing youth issues. The MYAC program gives the teen participants an outlet and tools for increasing their understanding of municipalities and democratic methods of making a difference in their community..
Selection Process
Middle and high school students are selected to serve as volunteer representatives of Fontana’s youth and serve on the MYAC. The MYAC is specifically tasked with helping the Fontana City Council and City staff to improve its youth oriented efforts and create programs that appeal to middle and high schoolers.
Vision
MYAC Members meet regularly to discuss topics impacting youth.
The City of Fontana strives to give the MYAC a true glimpse into the workings of a public committee, and thus uses Roberts Rules of Order, Minutes and Agendas, motions, and the like.
The overall goal of the MYAC program is to provide an accurate view of local governance and how citizens of a city can work collaboratively to better a community, and specifically how teens can engage other teens in positive and constructive learning experiences.
The MYAC operates with a Board of Directors - six teens voted into their positions by their peers on the Council. The Board of Directors includes a Chairperson, Assistant Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, Sergeant at Arms, and Parent Liaison.
On the Road To Success
The City of Fontana instituted the MYAC program in 2007. In its first year, the MYAC had 20 members. For 2009, the number has increased to 32 members. The MYAC meets at least once a month, and each member is appointed in the summer for a one-year term. Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council members must maintain a Grade Point Average of at least 2.3 during their time on the Council.
In its second year, the MYAC has already demonstrated incredible success. Last year, the 20 group members volunteered a total of 2,114 hours. Twelve of the 15 MYAC members from last year’s program who graduated from high school are now currently enrolled in an institution of higher learning.
MYAC members learn to support their community.
MYAC Makes a Difference
Many of the events planned for youth by the MYAC have become an integral part of the City of Fontana's award winning community programs and events, including the 4th of July spectacular, Cruise Night, Variety Night, Fontana Day’s Run, Community Clean up Day, Canned Food/Toy Drive, and the Halloween Carnival.
Why Participate?
MYAC members have learned that despite their youth, they are citizens, have a voice, and can truly make an impact in their community.
As Fontana’s Mayor Mark Nuaimi said, “At a time when many fear what the future may hold, we are proud to acknowledge that it is destined to be bright due to the persistence and determination of these talented youth.”
For more information on the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, contact Jason Hendrix, at (909) 428-8393 or .
