ORONO — University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H is accepting applications for a new civic engagement program called Youth Have a Voice.

This nine-month program is open to all Maine teens and recent high school graduates interested in taking a more active role in serving their local communities, the state or the country.

Participants will learn leadership skills and ways to take part in civic action by completing a service project in a topic of their interest in one of three categories: board member, policy leader or public service leader, according to a news release from Andrew Hudacs with the extension.

Youth board members can serve on a board, committee or advisory council where they can learn about public boards, the issues they address and how to effectively participate.

Policy leaders can learn about the impact of a local, state or national policy and write a response or opinion about it. Public service leaders can learn about community needs and how to follow a strategy while coordinating a service project.

Teens will be mentored by adults to assist their understanding of civic processes and ways to meet their project goals. The program is scheduled to run from September through May 2024, and the total time commitment may vary from 30 to 80 hours depending on the type of project.

Teens 14 to 19 years old or entering high school this fall can register for the program by completing a non-competitive application available on the program webpage at extension.umaine.edu. The information will be used to match teens with the resources they need to complete the program. A three-credit Early College course in leadership development at UMaine may also be available for interested students.

Registration is open until Monday, July 31. The program will be limited to 16 youth.

For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Hudacs at andrew.hudacs@maine.edu or 207-581-8204.

 

 

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