Through the LEARN365RI Grant Coordinator as overseen by the Department of Recreation, seven (7) middle school students have been selected for a seat on the SECOND-annual Youth Commission.
At meetings we will work to develop a mission statement, a vision, and plans on how to improve overall youth programming in accordance with the student identified core needs of the community here in North Kingstown. Quarterly funding, and snacks are available.
Application period for the next Youth Commission will open over the summer of 2025 to being meetings in the Fall.
When applying this summer please note: You must be enrolled in North Kingstown Middle School. Must be in good standing with attendance at school. Communication is key. Please make sure you are entering an email that you have access to a minimum every few days. Must commit to attending MOST meetings if not all. Meetings will be scheduled by the commission and depend on the projects at hand. Projects are also proposed by the commission.
Schedules will be somewhat flexible to the board’s needs.
Student projects are allotted up to $10,000 for the year if proposals are approved by the Council Members; project funds will roll over to the subsequent quarter if projects do not receive approval upon presentation.
The first year Commission was able to successfully install 6 Buddy Benches and deliver hygiene kits to students in North Kingstown and we cant wait to see what our second committee brings to the community!
Point of contact:
Kayla Van Gorden - North Kingstown 365 Grant Coordinator
Kayla is a teacher in town at Quidnessett Elementary School. She has run aspects of the recreation department the past several summers and has lived in North Kingstown her whole life. She is embedded in the community and very excited to form a student lead organization to warrant real change in our town meetings will take place in chosen locations at chosen times.
Mission Statement:
As a youth commission, we are dedicated to improving the lives of school-aged children that are involved in programs through both North Kingstown Recreation and the North Kingstown School Department.
| Roles: |
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| Ryan Gillette | Committee Member |
| Logan Sabino | Committee Member |
| Ava Barber Leclerc | Committee Member |
| Aria Holsombach | Chair |
| Martin Cook | Vice Chair |
| Alena Holsombach | Treasurer |
| Tessa Tarbox-Johnson | Secretary |
| Committee Member |
The Commission meeting schedule will be set by the new commission. Meetings will be biweekly via Zoom and will be presenting their 2024-2025 proposals at the April 21, 2025 Town Council Meeting.
