The most recent census from 2020 records Dayton’s population at around 137,000, and it may continue to decline. Though the solution may lie in Dayton’s young people — 20% of the city's population, 100% of its future, said Mayor Jeffrey Mims.
“But in order to do that, you have to have the support of not just the adults in the lives of young people. Young people (need to) create relationships and understand how they can support each other,” Mims said.
That’s why the city of Dayton is partnering with Learn to Earn for a new initiative called "My City. My Voice. My Future." The goal is for young people to effect change around policy and planning to support their own development.
This initiative was officially launched Sept. 16 at Dayton Metro Library.
Over the next three years of the program, the city will work towards establishing a mayor’s youth commission. The city government will give Learn to Earn $50,000 for each year of this program.
Students who were surveyed by the city identified four priority areas that they would like the city to prioritize: mental health, safe and healthy neighborhoods, student success, and future planning.
Erica Fields, with Learn to Earn Dayton, said the city is creating a roadmap to guide how the city can be more responsive to young people’s opinions.
“We want to reduce barriers (for) all young people, regardless of where they grow up, what geography, what neighborhood, what zip code. We want to make sure that they actually have a seat at the table because we want to hear from young people what they want their city to look like,” Fields said.
The first phase is information collection and feedback from students. This involves surveys and listening sessions. The first listening sessions will take place on Oct. 2 at Thurgood Marshall High School and Oct. 28 at the Boys and Girls Club of Dayton.
Learn to Earn is working with the Dayton Public Schools district, Dayton Early College Academy and Chaminade Julienne as well as local nonprofits to garner interest.
