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LEWISTON — The city is seeking members for the 2020-21 Lewiston Youth Advisory Council year of service, which will run from July 2020 to July 2021.
Applications may be submitted online at www.lewistonmaine.gov/applyforlyac [1], and the deadline for submission is May 22. Copies of the application can also be printed from the web link and mailed to Lewiston City Administrator’s Office, 27 Pine St., Lewiston, ME 04240.
To be considered for membership on the LYAC, an applicant must be in grade 9 to 12 (or will be in the fall) at either Lewiston High School or St. Dominic Academy, or be a Lewiston resident at the time of application. Homeschooled students who reside in Lewiston are welcome to apply for membership. Current members may also re-apply for another year of service.
The youth council was first established by the Lewiston City Council in October 2001, and the original group began meeting in 2002. It has since received local, state and national recognition. The LYAC enables youth to work towards goals to empower youth community-wide, as well as undertake initiatives/projects that enhance the community. The youth council also serves as a liaison between youth and the city.
The current LYAC has highlighted Lewiston’s many positive offerings, held a Bullyproof Lewiston community forum, and filmed several social distancing videos for social media related to the COVID19 public health emergency.
LYAC’s 18-year legacy has focused on a myriad of topics, from Lewiston’s image — promoting it as a food/dining destination point, diversity, park revitalization, recycling, homelessness, college going, U Booze U Looze underage drinking/driving, posting 1,400 uplifting messages on Lewiston High School lockers, the city’s All-America city distinction, arts and culture, posting homes/businesses to aid emergency responders, noise pollution, siting an 1891 E. Howard timepiece as a multi-level presence at City Hall, and much more.
When applications for the 2020-2021 year are received, a selection committee will review all submitted LYAC applications, conduct interviews, and appoint up to 15 youth. The committee will make its selection by the last Friday in June, and selected youth will be subsequently notified and then officially appointed during a July 2020 Lewiston City Council meeting. Orientation will occur in August 2020. Community Relations Coordinator Dottie Perham-Whittier serves as the group’s Advisor, and City Councilors Zachary Pettengill and Luke Jensen serve as council liaisons.
For more information on the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council, interested individuals may visit www.lewistonmaine.gov/lyac. Call 207-513-3018 or email dottie@lewistonmaine.gov with questions.
