The Toledo Youth Parliament--pARTicipating in Civic Engagement and Social Action

The Toledo Youth Parliament was formed in order to provide youth from urban areas with a channel for sharing concerns and testing out leadership skills that would allow them to be effective agents of change in their communities.

HVTA staff members met with approximately 100 youth from Toledo’s Youth Opportunities Program. Youth organized themselves into four delegations and each delegation discussed and presented issues of concern in their neighborhoods. The idea of using murals as a channel for mobilizing communities was well received.

HVTA then brought in area artists, who listened as the youth discussed priorities for change. Youths from each delegation worked with area artists to generate ideas for neighborhood murals. Delegates shared their ideas and sketches of the murals at a larger youth forum.

The finished murals will be unveiled in the Spring of 2009 and will be installed on buildings chosen by the youth delegates.  It is our hope that youth from these neighborhoods will continue to use these murals to promote dialogues and devise action plans.

Visions of the Summit/Salem Lutheran Delegation: To Create Stronger Families that Support Teens

Artist: Alecia Robinson 

Visions of the Firm Foundations Delegation:Caring Mentors and Guides who can Lead Teens out of Dangerous Situations in Neighborhoods.

Artist:  Nathan Masternak 

Visions of the Caldwell Delegation:  To Build Stronger, Safer Neighborhoods in Collaboration with Teen-Friendly Law Enforcement Officers 

Artist:  Edgar Ramirez

 Visions of the Chance for Change/Wayman Palmer Delegation:  To Nurture  the Spirits of Teenagers so that they can acquire the Wisdom and Inspiration to Lead

Artist:  Yusuf Lateef