About the Program

The Gwinnett Youth Commission, launched in 2017 is a program designed to educate youth about local government and provide an opportunity for youth to affect change in their community. Youth participants will get behind-the-scenes tours, interact with government leaders, and receive community leadership training designed to foster the next generation of leaders for Gwinnett County.

Curriculum

Students will receive seven weeks of training (seven sessions) over the summer that will involve instruction on Gwinnett government, team building and leadership development, and community project planning. Successful completion of the seven-week training is required for induction as a formal Gwinnett Youth Commissioner.

Eligibility

To be considered for the program, youth must:

1. Be a Gwinnett County resident
2. Attend a school in Gwinnett County (Gwinnett County Public Schools, Buford City Schools, Private, Charter, or Home Schools)
3. Be in the ninth, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade for the 2024 – 2025 academic year.
4. Submit a completed application with answers to essay questions
5. Submit a recommendation letter from a teacher, counselor, principal, religious leader, or community leader who has known the applicant for at least one year.

Selection Process

To be considered as a candidate for the Gwinnett Youth Commission, students must meet all the requirements listed above. Selections will be made by an independent committee that will determine participants based on eligibility, strength of application, interaction at the informational session, and representation of a cross-section of Gwinnett Schools. Notifications of acceptance will go out at the end of April.

Attendance

Once accepted into the program, students may not miss more than one training session. The Orientation and Induction Ceremony are required sessions.

Cost

There is no cost to participate in this program; however, students must have transportation to the summer training sessions and community volunteer activities after induction. Breakfast and lunch will be provided at all sessions as well as transportation for field trips from the Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center.

The Gwinnett Youth Commission program begins with seven training sessions followed by an Induction ceremony. Training sessions will take place on Wednesdays from 8:00am to 4:00pm. All sessions will begin with a continental breakfast.

2024 — 2025 Gwinnett Youth Commission Summer Training Schedule
Session 1 (June 4)*	Orientation and Introduction to County Government
Session 2 (June 5)	Transportation
Session 3 (June 12)	Water and Green Sustainability
Session 4 (June 26)	Public Safety Day with Police and Fire Departments
Session 5 (July 10)	Criminal Justice Day (Corrections, Detention Center)
Session 6 (July 17)	Gwinnett Judicial Circuit
Session 7 (July 24)	Community Services
Induction Ceremony	Wednesday, July 31 at 1:00pm

(*) Tuesday session

After induction, youth commissioners will participate in special events, field trips, and assist with planning and participating in community volunteer projects throughout Gwinnett County during the academic school year.