A Letter to Future Youth Council Members

By Robert Cervantez ear Future Youth Council Members,

A couple of years ago, I joined Merced’s Youth Council because I wanted to be a part of something bigger. I wanted to belong to an organization where I could make a di erence and institute change.

I was also fueled by the desire to secure a music venue in Merced. It is no secret that our city lacks recreational opportunities for young people. In order to have fun, we need to travel to Modesto or Fresno, both of which are almost an hour away.

Almost half of Merced’s population is comprised of young people under 24. And, ironically, as the years go by the city just gets younger and younger.

Last year, I became Chairman of the Youth Council, but it was a di cult experience. In the summer, I decided to leave. I had to move to another city with more opportunities for me.

My best memory with the Youth Council was putting together a community show, the Undivided Youth Fest, at Applegate Park in order to promote our body of government, the music scene, and the importance of youth investment. I wanted to advocate for my future and for the future of our city’s youth. Unfortunately, the event was not very successful. I was crushed.

I keep asking myself why we have not thrived like other youth councils do, and I realized it’s because our City Council does not take us seriously. Our assigned mentors do not take us seriously. And most importantly, we are seen as an autonomous body without any power.

The most important advice I can give you is to demand to be respected. Tell the City Council to “walk a mile” in your shoes. Year after year, they ignore us, because they have forgotten what it is like to be a young person in a city with the highest percent of disengaged youth. Year after year, they prefer to invest in other departments instead of our futures.

It is up to you to change the status quo. Continue the ght for me and for all the youth who are looking up to you. You have the power to change the City of Merced.