Community Engagement
Committee Chairs
Sue Abbott-Jones
Phyllis Sinclair
2023 Annual Report
At times we all feel our voice is not heard, but our young people feel this even more. The Community Engagement Committee wants to give young people a chance to express their thoughts, feelings, hopes and disappointments in the context of defining their community.
In 2023, in collaboration with the Adirondack Center for Writing, we sponsored a “My Dreams for My Community” essay contest. It was a success with many entrants from around the North Country. At the awards event, we listened to the winners read their own essays, but we also had the opportunity to read every submission before the winners were chosen. We learned a lot and decided to work on a plan to get young people’s voices heard throughout our communities.
As we move forward in 2024, our committee will work from a list made up of the many powerful quotes gathered from the essay submissions. We plan to publish the quotes in a series of Letters to the Editor submitted to news outlets throughout the North Country. Listening, sharing, and valuing their voices is the first step in engagement.
Another project that goes hand in hand with empowering young people is engaging them in the political process through the power of their vote. Our committee is looking into voter registration targeting high school students. In NY anyone 16 years old may preregister to vote and then will be automatically registered at 18 years of age. They need to know that not only is their voice heard but that it can make a difference.
If you would like to join us, please contact Sue Abbot Jones sueaj11@gmail.com or Phyllis Sinclair phyllissinclair00@gmail.com
Adirondack Voters for Change 