The Governor’s Youth Commission (GYC) was originally created in 1989 as the Governor’s Youth Commission Against Drugs. The GYC’s responsibilities have expanded from year to year, focusing on such areas as volunteerism, service-learning, bullying prevention, leadership, civic engagement, and substance abuse prevention. 

Currently, the purpose of the GYC is to advise the Governor and the Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families on issues affecting youth in Arizona. In doing so, the GYC’s work is focused on underage drinking prevention in partnership with the Arizona Parents Commission on Drug Education and Prevention.

The mission of the GYC is to promote youth volunteerism and service learning, to increase awareness of community issues and to enhance civic participation.

The GYC envisions Arizona’s empowered youth living in a healthy, safe environment while actively serving their communities.

Accomplishments

• Administered a $40,000.00 Alcohol Retailer Mapping in Proximity to Youth Mini-Grant.
• Facilitated workshops at the 2nd Statewide Substance Abuse Conference in Phoenix, the 18th Annual National Youth Service Learning Conference in New Mexico, and the 9th Annual National Leadership Conference in Orlando.
• Hosted Youth Leadership Day, an event which allowed nearly 300 members of 26 different municipal youth councils to gather at the State Capitol and learn about the public policy making process. Participants were informed of leadership opportunities, and had the opportunity to meet with legislators and other elected officials.
• Conducted six focus groups which invited parents from across Arizona to discuss issues related to youth and alcohol. The data collected was used in the Underage Drinking in Arizona Data Findings 2007 Report and helped to develop a statewide media campaign.
• Learned about the public policy making process and Arizona policies towards alcohol from guest speakers of Arizona State University’s Morrison Institute, the Governor’s Division of Substance Abuse Policy, and Students Against Destructive Decisions.
• Hosted two Governor’s Underage Drinking Summits.
  • Provided educational and leadership activities to 230 middle school and high school students.
  • Engaged 1,800 middle school and high school aged children in underage drinking prevention education.
  • Data collected at the summits has been professionally analyzed and included in a statewide substance abuse report.
• Presented data collected from the Governor’s Underage Drinking Summits at the Statewide Substance Abuse Coalition Forum.
• Participated in the Governor’s 13th Annual National and Community Service Conference.

Executive Committee
2007-2008 Planning Committee
Arizona Youth Survey Committee
Underage Drinking Policy Committee
Youth Leadership Day Planning Committee

13th Annual Governor’s National and Community Service Conference
9th Annual Leadership Conference

Draw the Line

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