City of Houston Youth Ambassadors

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The City of Houston Championing Change Youth Ambassadors is a civic engagement and youth leadership program for youth ages 13-18. The ambassadors work to advance children’s rights and ensure youth voice is considered in the City of Houston's programs and decision-making.

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Another Step for Youth - Child Rights Podcast

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Another Step for Youth is a child rights podcast where youth discuss current issues affecting them with city leaders and experts. The podcast aims to empower listeners with knowledge and resources to advocate for themselves and their communities.

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Youth Mental Health Guide

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The City of Houston Youth Mental Health Guide was created in collaboration with City of Houston Youth Ambassadors to increase understanding and access to mental health education, wellness techniques, and local resources. The youth ambassadors selected and curated the topics covered in the guide, they contributed and informed the design of the guide, and they were consultants on how to make it an effective and youth friendly resource.

View Guide Here

Ed Talks

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The Ed Talks: Youth Innovation Challenge is a competition for Houston youth to present bold solutions and address current challenges affecting their communities and inspire youth-led policies and programs.This is their chance to be a changemaker and present their vision for Houston’s future.

Civic Scoop

The Mayor’s Office of Education and Youth Engagement, in partnership with the City of Houston Youth Ambassadors, launched The Civic Scoop, a short rundown of what’s happening in Houston City Council meetings. Check out Houston youth’s take on city news, decisions, and opportunities on the MOEYE’s social media channels, including Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. 

Other Youth Engagement Opportunities in the City of Houston

• Department of Neighborhoods: Mayor's Youth Council: Provides high school students with opportunities to learn about city government, develop leadership skills, and bring awareness to issues that are important to Houston’s youth.
• Houston PD Youth Policy Advisory Council: Meet with the Chief of Police, other police officials, adult mentors and parents to discuss current and relative issues of mutual interest to them and the Chief.
• Mayor’s Office of Gang Prevention and Intervention College Corps: Internships with office to give participants hands-on experience and prepare them for working with delinquent populations.
• Youth Corps: High school students explore careers while learning soft skills to prepare them for jobs through the City’s Summer Youth Jobs program.
• Office of Sustainability Youth Climate Ambassadors: Created to train young Houstonians to be climate leaders in their communities - raising awareness about the impacts of climate change and gathering feedback from historically underserved communities on climate challenges and environmental justice issues.
• Teen Court: Hears real cases of juveniles who have received citations and are responsible for determining the sentences of teen defendants. Juvenile defendants plead guilty or no contest and choose to have their cases adjudicated via TEEN COURT. Volunteers work with real justice professionals to prosecute or defend the defendant. At the conclusion of the case, teen jurors are responsible for hearing the cases and deciding the punishment.

For more information about the office's efforts to advance youth leadership opportunities, please email moedu@houstontx.gov.