Lakewood’s Promise advisory board proposes amended 2026 work plan emphasizing youth job pathways and safe spaces

The Lakewood’s Promise Advisory Board presented an amended 2026 work plan at the Lakewood City Council study session on June 8, outlining a community-convening approach to expand youth supports across five named promises and urging council adoption of the amended plan.

Alice, who said she chairs the advisory board and leads the Center for Ethical Leadership, described the five promises—caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, marketable skills and opportunities to help others—and said the board will focus each monthly agenda on one promise, embed action steps into meetings and prioritize partner engagement and visibility.

Board members and councilors focused much of the discussion on creating clearer career pathways for youth. Council Member Pearson and others advocated job-shadowing, internships and job fairs to help young people explore careers and link to local colleges and district programs. Youth council liaison Amarillis Flores Garcia said she is developing an infrastructure for job-shadowing and summer opportunities as part of a school project and the board plans to coordinate with local businesses and colleges to expand those options.

Council members also urged stronger attention to youth behavioral-health supports; one councilor suggested considering an explicit pledge or program element focused on mental-health access if it is actionable. Board leaders said they will incorporate youth feedback, continue partner outreach—including schools, colleges and youth-serving nonprofits—and return with a formal agenda bill so the council can consider adopting the amended work plan.

The advisory board framed itself as a convenor rather than a direct service operator and noted it will maintain a program inventory and youth service matrix to guide referrals and collaboration. No formal council vote occurred at the June 8 session; staff indicated an agenda bill to adopt the amended plan could appear at an upcoming regular meeting.