Chatham County Youth Commission

The Chatham County Youth Commission is a youth organization in Chatham County, Georgia.

In 1992, after a variety of governmental, business and community initiatives on behalf of youth, Priscilla D. Thomas, commissioner of District 8, Chatham County (Savannah, Georgia) realized her vision to have a formal organization in place that would directly involve youth in the governmental process as well as develop leadership skills. After securing the blessing of the Chatham County Commission, she enlisted the assistance of the Chatham County Manager, Russ Abolt, the Human Resources Director, the late Beverly M. Whitehead, and the then Employee Services Manager, Michael A. Kaigler. They developed the prototype of the Youth Commission and this initiative became a reality in March 1992. Savannah City Alderman Van R. Johnson II has served as director since 1995.

The benefits have been enormous, including increased self esteem, recognition from the community at large, increased personal community involvement and enhanced relationships between the county government and the fourteen public, private, and parochial high schools that are served.

The Youth Commission is a formidable voice for youth in Chatham County and has assisted in the development of youth commissions in Fulton County (Atlanta, Georgia), Alachua County (Gainesville), (Fargo, North Dakota), Prince George's County, Maryland, Youth Commission and the Savannah, Georgia Youth Council (which serves middle school students).

Additionally, there are Youth Commissions in various stages of development in Albany, GA, Dekalb County, GA and Newnan, Georgia.

Over 350 youth from the Savannah-Chatham County Community are graduates of this program and are living all over the world.

External links

* [http://www.ChathamYouth.com Official site]
* [http://www.chathamcounty.org Chathamcounty.org]
* [http://www.savannahnow.com Savannah Now]