Palo Alto Youth Council presents mental‑health census, outreach events and plans for civic engagement

The Palo Alto Youth Council presented a study‑session update to the Parks and Recreation Commission on Feb. 24, introducing membership, surveys and program plans for the coming semester.

Chris Sanchez, the youth‑council staff liaison, introduced Youth Council President Maddie Park and Vice President Vinh. The group described first‑semester work that focused on youth mental health, civic engagement and student‑led spotlights. Members said their mental‑health census gathered input from more than 250 teens and will inform recommendations for city and school boards.

The council previewed second‑semester plans: YAGA Tech (a youth conference), Pancakes & Pickleball (late March), a Civic Impact Summit on April 25 at Mitchell Park Community Center, and Pollapalooza in May. Members described youth outreach through school and community events, therapy‑dog study nights and partnerships to expand intergenerational programming in the new downtown teen center.

Commissioners praised the presentation and asked clarifying questions about survey representativeness (the council said Castilleja students were overrepresented and they plan broader outreach), whether student organizers could emcee city events, and how the council could help with safe‑routes and middle‑school athletics. The commission encouraged continued engagement and requested the Youth Council send finalized reports to commissioners and council members.

The Youth Council requested continuing invitations to city and commission meetings during report rollouts. No formal commission action was taken.