The City of Vallejo/VCUSD Youth Delegation Program
Through the Two by Two Committee, the City of Vallejo and the Vallejo City Unified School District have established a partnership on several projects. One of these collaborative efforts has been establishing a Youth Delegation of VCUSD students to assist Vallejo youth in gaining leadership and civic engagement skills. Youth delegates will participate in engaging leadership-building opportunities with peers and municipal leaders and have multiple opportunities to socialize and network with fellow youth delegates, mentors and elected officials. By participating in the youth delegation, these students will gain real-world experience through workshops and activities and learn about challenges and solutions from inspiring speakers and presenters, with a spotlight on youth voices and youth councils in government.
Goals of the Program
The goals of the City of Vallejo/ VCUSD Youth Delegation are to:
- Support an ongoing partnership between the City of Vallejo and The Vallejo City Unified School District, as exemplified by the 2x2 Committee
- Support the City Council priority of youth programming
- Utilize the resources provided by National League of Cities
- Provide youth of Vallejo with a hands-on opportunity to learn more about civic-engagement, government and leadership
Background of Youth Delegation
In March of 2020, the City partnered with VCUSD to help sponsor a Vallejo Youth Delegation to the National League of Cities Congressional Conference in Washington, DC. The nine-student delegation included four students from Vallejo High School, four students from Bethel High School, and one student from St. Patrick’s /St. Vincent’s High School. Accompanying the students were two VCUSD chaperones and two Vallejo City Council Members.
In March of 2023, the City and VCUSD escorted a second Vallejo Youth Delegation consisting of four students: one from Vallejo High School, one from Jesse Bethel High School, one from John Finney High School, and the VCUSD Student Board Representative, to Washington, D.C. The itinerary included meetings with staffers of elected officials, networking events and receptions, tours of historical landmarks, visits to museums, meetings with the City of Vallejo lobbyists and a college tour. Accompanying the students were one VCUSD chaperone and the City of Vallejo Youth Coordinator.
In November of 2023, the City and VCUSD co-sponsored a third Vallejo Youth Delegation to the National League of Cities City Summit Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, consisting of eight students: two from Vallejo High School, three from Jesse Bethel High School, two from John Finney High School, and the VCUSD Student Board Representative. The itinerary for the Vallejo youth delegation included attending conference workshops, networking events and receptions, visiting the Expo Hall, and touring historical landmarks, museums and colleges. Two VCUSD chaperones and the City of Vallejo Youth Coordinator accompanied the students.
About the NLC City Summit and Congressional Conferences
Each year, the National League of Cities welcomes young leaders from across the country to participate in a youth programming designed for youth mentoring and education. During the NLC City Summit and Congressional City Conferences, youth are invited to their own programs designed specifically by and for youth leaders from across the US. The NLC Youth Delegate Planning Committee, comprised of high school leaders serving in their communities as activists and youth council members, develop engaging programs specifically for youth leaders like themselves.
By participating, Youth Delegates will benefit from:
- Engaging leadership-building opportunities with peers and municipal leaders
- Social and networking opportunities with fellow youth delegates, mentors and elected officials
- Opportunities to gain real-world experience through workshops and activities
- Learning about challenges and solutions from inspiring speakers and presenters
- A spotlight on youth voice and youth councils in government
How to apply:
Applications are shared with all eligible VCUSD schools several months before the trip. Applicants are screened and selections are made by a committee of City/VCUSD staff and members of the 2x2 Committee.