The Gwinnett Youth Commission is a year-long leadership development program for high school-age students in Gwinnett County. GYC focuses on personal and professional development, civic engagement, and public service. Gwinnett’s Youth Commissioners are representative voices of the County’s youth and serve as representatives to its elected officials.

Students who participate in this program will:

• Earn volunteer service hours, build lasting relationships, and become better equipped to serve our vibrantly connected community.
• Attend behind-the-scenes tours of county government departments and facilities.
• Meet with elected and appointed officials to discuss ways youth can affect change in the community.

To be considered for the program, youth must:

• Be a resident of Gwinnett County
• Attend a school in Gwinnett County (Gwinnett County Public Schools, Buford City Schools, private, home school, or charter schools)
• Be a rising freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior in the 2023-2024 academic year
• Submit a completed application.

Summer training sessions take place from 8:00am to 5:00pm at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center. Summer training dates are as follows:

• Tuesday, June 6
• Wednesday, June 7
• Wednesday, June 14
• Wednesday, June 21
• Wednesday July 5
• Wednesday July 12
• Tuesday July 18
• Wednesday, July 19

Students may not miss more than two summer training sessions. The induction ceremony for the 2023 – 2024 cohort of the Gwinnett Youth Commission will take place on Wednesday, July 26 in the auditorium of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center. To satisfactorily complete the summer sessions, students selected to participate in the Gwinnett Youth Commission must be present for the June 6 orientation session and July 26 induction ceremony to satisfactorily complete the summer sessions and be considered a Gwinnett Youth Commissioner. An informational meeting for parents will be held in May prior to the start of the 2023-2024 program year.

After their induction as official youth commissioners, students participate in special events, field trips, and assist with planning and participating in community volunteer projects throughout Gwinnett County during the academic school year.

Monthly Meetings

The Gwinnett Youth Commission meets monthly on Wednesday evenings from August to May. Dates and additional details about these meetings will be shared before the end of the summer training program. Youth commissioners are expected to attend each monthly meeting, unless an excuse is provided in advance.

Events

Youth Commissioners have several events they are highly encouraged to attend during the school year. Dates for these events will be communicated to youth commissioners as they become available.

The class is limited to 30 participants each cycle. Selections will be made by an independent committee based on eligibility and the typed essay. Students selected for this program will represent a cross-section of Gwinnett County. A submitted application does not guarantee your participation in the Gwinnett Youth Commission. Youth commissioners who perform well in the program may be offered the opportunity to participate in the program again during the next program year.

Interested candidates must complete an application, to which eligibility will be verified. The application deadline for the 2023 – 2024 cohort is Friday, April 7 at 10:00pm. Accepted Youth will be notified by early May.

Please contact Community Outreach Programs Coordinator Nathan DeVoe at Nathan.Devoe@GwinnettCounty.com with any questions.

What is the Gwinnett Youth Commission?

The Gwinnett Youth Commission is a year-long leadership program for high-school aged students. The program is built on a foundation of personal and professional development, civic engagement, and public service.

Who is the Gwinnett Youth Commission for?

The Gwinnett Youth Commission is for any high-school aged student who wants to learn more about local government, serve their community, and invest in themselves as a future leader. The Gwinnett Youth Commission does not consider GPA or past leadership experience when assessing applications. All youth who feel that they will grow from the program are encouraged to apply.

What sort of activities are included in the program?

The Gwinnett Youth Commission consists of eight summer training sessions, monthly meetings, and various service projects. During summer training sessions youth receive leadership lessons on topics like communication, conflict resolution, and developing their own personal leadership style. In addition to leadership training, summer training sessions include visits to various Gwinnett County Government departments, where youth learn more about their role in supporting our vibrantly connected community. Tours include the Department of Transportation, Gwinnett County Police Department, Fire Department, and more.

During the school year youth commissioners meet monthly to continue their leadership development, educate themselves on issues currently affecting Gwinnett County, and serve as representatives of Gwinnett County’s youth.

How much does the Gwinnett Youth Commission cost?

There is no cost associated with the Gwinnett Youth Commission. Breakfast and lunch are provided at all summer training sessions, and meals are provided when possible during school year activities. Please note that Gwinnett County Government cannot provide transportation to and from Gwinnett Youth Commission meetings and each participant must have travel arrangements decided in advance of each session.

My child wasn’t accepted to the Gwinnett Youth Commission. Now what?

Youth who are not accepted to the program are encouraged to stay involved with Gwinnett County Government, and to apply again in the following year. Whether or not an applicant has applied in previous years is taken into consideration during the selection process. Through the year there are occasional opportunities for youth who are not a part of the Gwinnett Youth Commission to participate in activities. These will be communicated to all youth who apply for the program and were not accepted.

What will my child gain from the Gwinnett Youth Commission?

Gwinnett Youth Commissioners receive leadership training that will benefit them in high school, college, and their careers, in addition to knowledge of local government and civic affairs that will help them act as engaged citizens in the future. Youth Commissioners receive public speaking training as a part of the program and are given opportunities to present in front of government leaders and elected officials as representatives of Gwinnett’s Youth. Youth are also provided many opportunities to earn service hours as a part of the program. Youth who show continued investment in themselves and service to Gwinnett County may receive other opportunities or benefits, including letters of recommendation, speaking roles at County events, or leadership roles within the Gwinnett Youth Commission.

What sort of time commitment is necessary for the program?

Youth are expected to miss no more than two summer training sessions, which last from 8AM to 5PM. More than two absences may result in a participant’s inability to be fully inducted as a youth commissioner. School year meetings occur monthly, and last for around 90 minutes. While additional service projects within the school year are not considered mandatory, all youth commissioners are highly encouraged and expected to be in attendance.