Erie Together Co-Hosts Annual Youth Civic Engagement Symposium: Perspective from Holly Benson, Erie Together VISTA

Young people are essential to a bright future, and the more our youth in Erie County are engaged in the community, the better off we’ll be in years to come. That’s why Erie Together has, for the last six years, co-hosted the annual “Youth Civic Engagement Symposium.” This event, offered in partnership with Gannon University and U.S. Senator Pat Toomey’s office, brings local leaders together with young people to help them better understand government, community, and opportunities to get involved and make a difference.

This year’s event was held completely virtually, consisting of five pre-recorded panel presentations, and culminating in a live (Zoom) open discussion between schools, students, and the collective group of panelists on September 30. (You can find a recording of the live Zoom discussion by clicking here.) New to this year’s event was the development of lesson plans, prepared by Northwest Tri-County IU #5, to help teachers easily integrate the presentations into their classrooms.

We work hard each year to hold this event because we understand that when young people get connected and engage with their communities, not only does it benefit the world around them, but these experiences can also contribute to their personal success. According to the 2016 United Nations World Youth Report: Youth Civic Engagement, young people entering the workforce in recent years are less likely to secure decent employment than their predecessors were. By becoming civically engaged, youth can address various issues that contribute to their economic disempowerment, enhance their personal development, and ease their transition to adulthood.

I am experiencing this first-hand. In my role as an Erie Together AmeriCorps VISTA member, I get the chance to affect the economic reality of young people like me by supporting and enhancing career-connected learning initiatives throughout Erie County. In addition, my time serving Erie Together has broadened my professional network and given me new work experiences that are positively impacting my professional and personal growth.

Erie Together is proud to have worked with Gannon University, U.S. Senator Pat Toomey’s office, local government and community leaders, IU #5, Community Access Media, and event sponsors Erie Insurance and the National Fuel Gas Company Foundation to make this event possible again this year!