Would you enjoy working with teens who are engaged, thoughtful, creative, and genuinely excited about serving their community? If so, I’d love to have you join me as an Ivins Youth Council Advisor.
Advisors help guide our amazing group of young people as they plan service projects, learn how local government works, and explore leadership opportunities throughout the year. The advisory role is supportive, fun, and deeply rewarding. It’s about encouraging students and helping them grow, not running the show.
The Ivins Youth Council was created by the City Council to give youth a voice on city issues, build an understanding of how city government works, provide meaningful service opportunities, and develop skills that will carry into adulthood. Youth Council members bring fresh ideas to the City Council and city staff.
They regularly identify ways to improve life for young people in Ivins, represent their peers at public events, and offer their perspective on issues that matter to them. They also learn, firsthand, that government is not some distant institution, it is something they can participate in and help shape.
Advisors serve as mentors who offer encouragement, guidance, and occasional logistical support. Most of the service activities are coordinated by the Ivins Parks Department, so Advisors do not plan or run the events. Instead, our role as Advisors is to attend meetings, support the Youth Council team, and help students build confidence and leadership skills.
The time commitment is modest, about 12 to 15 meetings per year, with occasional optional activities. If you can offer your presence, a positive attitude, and a willingness to help kids succeed, you’ll make a meaningful impact.
The Youth Council stays remarkably busy each year. In recent years, the Youth Council has attended the State Legislature in Salt Lake City to meet with lawmakers and learn about the legislative process. They have organized and participated in numerous community events, everything from Santa in the Park, Wreaths Across America, and the annual Easter Egg Scramble, to the Summer Foam Blast at Unity Park. They’ve met with the police and fire departments to learn how first responders serve our community, even trying out equipment and participating in demonstrations.
One of the most impressive recent efforts was the Youth Council’s work to bring an ADA-accessible swing set to Unity Park. After realizing our city did not have an adaptive swing, Youth Council members researched options, and organized a fundraising plan. They ultimately raised thousands of dollars for the project. It began with a single observation from a Youth Council member and grew into a citywide effort. Watching these teens learn to collaborate, communicate, and advocate for something that would improve our community for years to come has been inspiring.
Youth Council members also help represent Ivins at county and city events. They have spoken at City Council meetings, prepared displays for the county fair, helped run games at Heritage Days, and gained exposure to civic, cultural, and service experiences that will stay with them for life.
Why become an Advisor? Because it is one of the most rewarding ways to support youth in our community. You get a front-row seat as students discover their voice, learn to collaborate, take initiative, and find confidence in public settings. It is genuinely inspiring to watch teens stand at the podium in City Hall and speak about their ideas, or sit with business leaders and make a professional pitch, or organize a community event and see it succeed. You will see the moment when they realize that their words and actions matter, that they can accomplish big things. Being present for those moments is what makes this role so fulfilling.
If this sounds like something you might enjoy, or if you’d simply like to learn more, I’d love to hear from you. Please email me and or browse the Ivins Youth Council website for more information (the activity list has not been updated since April, but it offers a solid overview).
I would be grateful to have your help supporting these outstanding young people. It’s a great group, and I think you’ll find the experience every bit as meaningful as they do.
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