The City of Mountain View City Council approved the new title of Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) on September 11, 2007. The YAC was formed to increase the level of civic engagement of youth and to provide the YAC with an opportunity to work directly with the Council Youth Services Committee. The YAC is comprised of middle school and high school students that represent Mountain View teens in local government and have the opportunity to advise adults concerning teen issues. All meetings are open to the public.

YAC Membership:

The YAC is comprised of Mountain View residents from the following local schools: Mountain View High School, Los Altos High School, Mountain View Academy, Alta Vista High School, Graham Middle School, Crittenden Middle School, Saint Francis High School, Bellarmine Preparatory School and more.

There are currently no vacancies for the YAC, but students are encouraged to come to the meetings to learn more about what the YAC has to offer. For more information on how to become more involved with the YAC, please call Kristine Pardini at (650) 903-6410 or send an email to YAC@mountainview.gov.

Membership eligibility includes being a Mountain View resident, enrolled in 7th through 12th grade for the 2008-2009 school year and able to attend regular meetings and events. Check back for more information on YAC recruitment for the 2009-2010 school year in March 2009.

Benefits of being a YAC Member:

• Learn about your community
• Opportunity for civic engagement
• Make a direct impact on your community
• Expand your network to include a wide range of youth as well as community members
• Develop positive youth/adult relationships
• Represent your fellow teens by recommending action in the community
• Receive encouragement and training to put your ideas into action

2008-2009 YAC Schedule:

• Regular meetings are held the first Monday of each month during the school year (September through June) at the Mountain View Community Center. To confirm meeting locations and for more information please call Kristine Pardini, Recreation Coordinator and YAC liaison, at (650) 903-6410.

2008-2009 YAC Work Plan:

1. To plan and implement health-related events to: educate the community; provide opportunities to increase personal wellness; and to recommend new health-related programs the City of Mountain View can provide to youth.
2. To raise awareness of the Youth Advisory Committee and to encourage participation in youth and teen programs sponsored by the City of Mountain View through strategic marketing efforts.
3. To represent the youth voice of Mountain View by providing formal youth recommendations to City Council concerning youth and teen programs, services, policies and facilities.
4. To organize social events for Mountain View youth and teens to develop a greater sense of community.

Previous Accomplishments of YAC:

Previous Accomplishments of YAC:

• Support the creation of a Teen Center for middle school students
• "Teen Voice" article and teen calendar published monthly in the Mountain View Voice
• Supporting the creation of the Teen Zone in the Mountain View Public Library
• Recognized the need for Drivers Education classes in the community and assisted in the development of this program
• Provide free events to teens including Pro-Am Reng-Jam, summer outdoor movie series

Other Links:

• Youth and Teen Services
• Child and Youth Services