youth engagement
We center our engagement strategy on local youth, and grow it from there.
Children living in distressed neighborhoods inherit, and live with the results of planning decisions that are made for their communities, but their voices are rarely heard during the process of making those decisions. The lack of effective participation and engagement, especially of youth, can help to amplify social tension and unrest. When youth become active, they can catalyze positive change in the settings in which they live, learn, work and play. COLLABO incorporates youth engagement through a variety of techniques including youth-led walking tours, design charrettes, creative and artistic activities and leadership training.
Through this engagement, young people are exposed to the broad skillsets that can be incorporated into planning and design, and become more aware of these professions as potential careers. Youth engagement has also proven to encourage more parental engagement and ownership in the planning process. When the kids are given a role in the making of the plan, the parents are often much more willing to participate. Youth engagement energizes the process while bringing a unique perspective to the opportunities and challenges of the neighborhood.