COVID-19 Changes Youth Involvement

Cities host creative programs to captivate young residents

by Eryn Russell, Florida League of Cities

As cities are well into their second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders have begun to reflect on the changes they have made. Starting in March 2020, cities’ youngest residents were sent home from school, afterschool activities were canceled, and city parks and local recreational areas were closed. So, what have cities done to engage their students during this pandemic?

It’s important that students understand the role that cities play in their everyday life. Cities are more than street signs, soccer fields and playgrounds. Cities are the place where students learn and grow. Cities are the place where students’ voices can be heard. Cities are our homes.

The Mulberry Public Library used an instant messaging and video platform to host book clubs for students of all ages.

Photo courtesy of City of Mulberry

Florida’s cities have risen to the challenge to provide a safe space for their youngest residents. Cities have – and many still are – hosting programs to keep students engaged.

When the COVID-19 pandemic closed in-person library services, the City of Mulberry’s Public Library needed to find new ways to connect with their residents. The library implemented a variety of virtual services, for students and adults, until residents were able to visit the library again. These programs were low-cost and used materials the library already had on hand.

Mulberry residents tune in into Mulberry residents tune in to the city’s YouTube channel for weekly activities, challenges and bloopers from previous videos.

Photo courtesy of City of Mulberry

For Mulberry’s preschool-age residents, the city posted story time videos that included songs and a felt board to make the video visual and engaging. The Every Book a Surprise program, aimed at elementary-age students, paired a craft with a book using materials commonly found around the house. For middle and high school students, library staff hosted poetry and art competitions, online scavenger hunts and even a virtual escape room. Virtual book clubs were also held for elementary-, middle- and high school-age students.

STUDENTS INVITED TO LISTENING SESSION

The City of Gainesville, as part of the Gainesville 2035 Strategic Plan, invited local students to a City Commission meeting to hear their thoughts on the future of Gainesville. The city partnered with the school board and local colleges to identify middle school- to college-age students to participate in a listening session with the commission. The goal of the listening session was to give students a platform to share ideas and voice concerns. Students brought forth a variety of topics, from homelessness to local youth sports programs, and received immediate feedback from the city commissioners.

As part of its strategic plan, the city also intends to hold workshops with local nonprofit organizations and institutional partners to discuss how the initiatives presented by the students during the listening session can be brought to life.

The Mulberry Public Library used an instant messaging and video platform to host book clubs for students of all ages.

Photo courtesy of City of Mulberry

CITIES ESTABLISH YOUTH COUNCIL

The City of Gulf Breeze recently established a youth council with its “sister cities,” the City of Pensacola and the City of Milton. The youth council, which is made up of high school juniors and seniors, began in March 2021. To formalize this program, Gulf Breeze is working with the high schools’ Interact club (sponsored by Rotary Club), student government associations and civics and history teachers. Gulf Breeze Mayor Cherry Fitch thought it was important to provide this opportunity for their youth, especially during a pandemic when so many are missing regular interaction.

The newly established youth council will serve as an advisory board to the participating city councils on initiatives related to youth. The youth council will also provide its members with community service opportunities, which will help the students who are preparing for post-high school education.

As city leaders look toward the future, they understand that some municipal services may never look the same. Some cities have changed to online utility payments, allowed residents to join city meetings through a virtual platform or even hosted virtual library programming. But one aspect of municipal work has stayed the same: Cities need to continue engaging their residents, especially Florida’s future leaders.

Eryn Russell is programs coordinator and an ambassador at the Florida League of Cities.

LARGO HOLDS UNTOUCHABLE TRUCK PARADE

Trucks at Largo's Untouchable Truck Parade.

Photo courtesy of City of Largo

The City of Largo recently hosted an Untouchable Truck Parade. The parade featured more than 30 vehicles, including the city’s trucks, local businesses’ trucks, classic cars, the Tampa Bay Lightning’s promotional vehicle and even local Jeep groups. In previous years, the Touch-A-Truck event invited families to experience a variety of city vehicles. Due to the pandemic, the city tweaked the program so that children and families could still enjoy the event while staying safe with physical distancing and/or wearing masks.