The Office of Youth and Families and Neighborhood Engagement Office are pleased to announce an exciting development. Starting Fall 2023, the Junior Civic Leadership Academy (JCLA) will take place through the first three sessions of each term of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council (MYAC).
This integration strategically combines two pivotal youth empowerment initiatives to mutually reinforce their civic leadership goals through collaborative learning.
About Junior Civic Leadership Academy JCLA immerses students in hands-on learning experiences about City governance through engaging demonstrations, presentations and an insider’s view of municipal operations. Graduates gain knowledge to actively improve community outcomes.
About Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council MYAC directly advises the Mayor on policies and issues influencing youth wellbeing. Council members develop recommendations through legislative research, constituent data review, and conducting an annual youth town hall to determine priority impact areas.
Joint programming allows emerging leaders to build contacts and organizational insights while refining the tools to architect systems-level change. We envision generations of youth advocates shaped through this consolidated forum ready to uplift voices toward meaningful progress.
You can view MYAC's Bylaws here.
APPLICATIONS OPEN AUGUST 1ST for the 2024-2025 year. All New Orleans youth in 8th-12th grades interested in learning more about city government and becoming a part of MYAC are invited to apply. All applicants must go through the application and interview process to be considered. Applications are due September 1st at midnight. Please check back to access an application.
Criteria to apply:
1. Reside in the city limits of New Orleans.
2. Be enrolled and attending a Louisiana school or home-school in the 8th,9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade.
3. Provide 1 letter of recommendation (from a teacher, mentor, coach, clergy, etc)- Please email the letter to Melissa.Panks@nola.gov note: MYAC Letter of Recommendation in the subject line.