MYAC Projects

2006
• In January, MYAC hosted the City of Kendallville’s Youth Council and Youth Leadership Fort Wayne for a Cultural Diversity Training session instructed by the Fort Wayne Police Department and Allen County Sheriff’s Department.

• Also in January, MYAC attended the Legislative Youth Day down in Indianapolis and discussed actual issues that were in front of the General Assembly for consideration. MYAC then went over to the State House and met with several State officials and asked for their input on issues such as; toll road leasing, all day kindergarten, and harsher punishments for adults who provide alcohol to minors.

• In February, MYAC members attended a press conference with Congressman Mark Souder when the announcement was made that the consolidation of mercury was headed for Nevada rather than New Haven. As you know, MYAC gathered the majority of the signatures on petitions that were turned in to the Federal Government.

• The youth helped Councilman Harold West and Representative Phyllis Pond get H.B. 1207 passed. This new law is a vital tool that will enable our police and prosecutors to get convictions against those who pray on the vulnerability of senior citizens with home improvement fraud.

• In February, MYAC hosted the Executive Director of the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT) here in New Haven and offer youth input from our organization toward IACT workshops.

• MYAC hosted 18 year old Mayor Michael Sessions from Hillsdale, Michigan at the annual State of the City Address. Mayor Sessions is the youngest Mayor to ever be elected in the United States.

• In March, representatives of MYAC presented their third annual “State of the Youth Address” prior to the upcoming Mayor’s State of the City Address currently scheduled for March 20, 2006.

• MYAC gave television interviews with the local media regarding the mercury issue and during the State of the City Address.

• Support other non-profit organizations by sponsoring and promoting events in New Haven, such as the United Way Youth Day of Caring and Relay For Life Cancer Walk which will be held in New Haven again this year.

2005
• In early March, members presented the second New Haven “State of the Youth” Address prior to the Mayor’s State of the City Address.

• In late April, MYAC members teamed up together with the United Way and participated in the Annual “Youth Day of Caring” where members participated in 2 separate large projects.

• In May, MYAC members teamed up with the Cancer Society and raised monies for the Relay for Life Cancer Walk, which was held in New Haven for the very first time.

• In June, MYAC held a fund raiser during Canal Days for program support.

• In August, a talented high school teen created a new website for the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council.

• In September, MYAC members will participate at Youth Day during the Annual Indiana Association of Cities & Towns (IACT) Conference in Fort Wayne.

• In October, MYAC will partner with Allen Superior Court Judge Charles Pratt and assist with the “2005 Great Kids Make Great Communities” Conference that will be held in Fort Wayne.

• Later this Fall, MYAC plans to host a Youth Town Hall meeting at the New Haven City Hall to seek input from other teens in the area.

2004
• MYAC wrote and adopted their first set of Bylaws.

• In early Spring, members presented the first “State of the Youth” Address prior to the Mayor’s State of the City Address.

• New Haven’s Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council hosted Fort Wayne’s Youth Council (active at the time) along with Leadership Fort Wayne at the New Haven City Hall.

• In June, MYAC held a fund raiser during Canal Days for program support.

• Members provided youth input toward the Allen County Comprehensive Plan and offered ideas about the future.

• MYAC members held a voter registration drive and registered over 35 young people to vote.

• In December, MYAC members attended the National League of Cities Conference in Indianapolis. The input from the New Haven young people made a strong impact when they networked with elected officials and other youth from at least 17 other states across the United States, from California to Virginia. Several surrounding states have indicated that they would travel to Indiana to gain more knowledge on building a successful youth council like the youth council in New Haven. Members had the opportunity to meet and have dinner with Secretary of State Todd Rokita, who supports this organization.

• To finish out a busy 2004, MYAC members presented their first Annual Report to City Council members at a City Council meeting.

2003
• Teen members participated in the City Wide Clean Up

• MYAC members participated in the New Haven Canal Days Festival

• Members volunteered their time and painted over 30 fire hydrants for the Utility Department.

• Teen members accompanied the Mayor at the controversial Mercury Public Hearing hosted by the Federal Government. We provided a youth voice and carried petition against the consolidation of mercury in New Haven.
- A total of 850+ signatures were gathered
- 53% of those signatures were obtained by young people!

• MYAC members attended the Annual Indiana Association of Cities & Towns (IACT) Conference in South Bend.

• Members met with potential new business owners who wanted youth input for a possible coffee house in the area.

• MYAC conducted a can food drive at New Haven High School the week before Thanksgiving. The goal was set at 500 items, yet approximately 10,000 items were collected by New Haven High School students. A check for nearly $1,000 was presented to the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission to feed those who are less fortunate.

• MYAC ended a busy year by visiting residents of local nursing homes in the area. Members presented elderly residents with Christmas cards which were made by local 1st grade students in New Haven.