The City of Mesquite is offering two opportunities for teens aimed at fostering civic engagement and leadership development.
Under the City’s new Youth Services division, the Mesquite Youth Council and Summer Youth Internship Program are accepting applications from March 1-31. Students who participate in these initiatives get the chance to engage with their community, get a behind-the-scenes look at how local businesses and government operate and meet like-minded youth across Mesquite.
Informational sessions for these initiatives will be held at 6 p.m. on Feb. 20 at the Mesquite Main Library and at 6 p.m. on Feb. 24 at the North Branch Library.
The newly established Mesquite Youth Council provides high school teens who reside in Mesquite with a platform to voice their ideas, address youth-related issues and affect positive change in their community. Additionally, the Youth Council will serve as an advisory body to City leadership, offering recommendations on policies and programs that impact young residents. Participants will have the opportunity to network with peers, earn volunteer hours, help with meaningful community projects and use their service in the Council as a strong addition to a job or college application.
The Summer Youth Internship Program (SYIP) provides eligible students the opportunity to acquire the skills and training necessary to transition into college and future careers by placing teens ages 16-18 in an internship with local businesses, nonprofits or the City of Mesquite. These teens can earn $13 per hour for their work and will receive a letter of recommendation, a certificate of completion and a City of Mesquite leadership recognition upon completion of the program.
As part of its commitment to the local youth, the City of Mesquite hired Sheridan Hodges the new Youth Services Manager in November 2024 to work closely with community partners, schools and local organizations to support youth development, enhance life skills and drive civic engagement. The City’s Youth Services division aims to give young people in Mesquite an outlet to affect change and have a place to interact with their peers and adults on important issues in their community.
Students interested in learning more and applying to the SYIP and Youth Council can visit www.cityofmesquite.com/YouthServices.