Alachua’s Youth Council Wins Community Service Award

ALACHUA ‒ The City of Alachua Youth Advisory Council has been named one of three winners of the 2023 Municipal Youth Council Community Service Contest awarded by the Florida League of Cities (FLC). The annual competition showcases community service projects performed by municipal youth councils that successfully address specific needs in their local communities.

Municipal youth councils are special councils that typically serve as advisory boards to the local governments. They are composed of high school students within the city and are sometimes referred to as youth corps, teen advisory boards, or mayor’s youth councils.

“It is inspiring to see our future leaders taking action and making a positive impact in their communities,” said FLC President Jolien Caraballo, Vice Mayor for the City of Port St. Lucie. “The Florida League of Cities is proud of the work these students are doing to support and improve their cities. On behalf of the League, congratulations to this year’s contest winners.”

The Alachua Youth Advisory Council partnered with the Alachua County Quilt Remembrance Project through the Equal Justice Initiative to construct a publicly displayed quilt to remember lynching victims in the Alachua area. The victims were represented with embroidered name blocks and quotes, which gave a voice to those whose voices were taken.

The Youth Council played a major role in the planning, embroidering and quilting process with guidance from well-established quilters in the area. The students designed several of the name blocks and the colors of the embroidery threads chosen by a Youth Council member are the colors in the City’s emblem. The quilt is currently displayed in the City Hall front lobby.

The cities of Fort Pierce and West Park Youth Councils wee also named winners in the statewide competition. Contest winners will receive a trophy and be featured in the League’s award-winning magazine, Quality Cities (QC), as well as on the League’s website and social media outlets.

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