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Did you know that 41% of our youth feel our community needs more youth programs and activities?

The Joint Youth Commission (JYC) pools resources from the Town of Ithaca, Town of Caroline, and Village of Lansing to provide first-time youth employment, employment training and career exploration, apprenticeships, youth development and life skills programs for youth aged 10-18.

In 2017-18, the JYC conducted its most recent needs assessment to understand the needs of youth in the community and update and inform its priorities and funding. Our primary feedback came from 400 youth and 65 adults who responded to a survey targeting residents of the JYC communities. We also reviewed available data on JYC youth and heard feedback from staff providing programs to JYC youth.

Best Things About Our Community for Young People
Youth were twice as likely as adults to mention that the community is supportive of young people. Both noted availability of many activities aimed at young people and both groups noted our many outdoor parks and natural resources. Youth and adults also both cited good schools and school extracurriculars such as sports and clubs as benefits they appreciate. 28% of youth mentioned specific local businesses (Ithaca Mall and the Commons were most common) as things they appreciate about the community.

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Changes Needed To Make Our Community A Better Place for Young People
Adults and youth agree that there is a need for more programs, activities and hang out places for young people. Nearly 1 in 5 young people mentioned wanting more outdoor parks and areas to play. Adults were far more likely than young people to list youth jobs and job skill building as a need.

Conclusions
JYC Funding priorities should continue to support:
  • Work readiness programs that build job skills and provide subsidized employment
  • Youth development programs that build life skills through varied activities
JYC Target audience should remain on:
  • Youth in late elementary school, to help with a successful transition to middle school
  • Middle schoolers, including those referred by school personnel as needing additional support
  • Early high schoolers, to help with first time employment and job skills
The Village of Lansing has two voting seats on the Joint Youth Commission. Ronny Hardaway is one representative but the other seat is vacant.

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