Published 12/06/07

Youth coalition tackles community projects

by Beckye Randall

Over the past summer, a group of Marysville teens began meeting to discuss their ideas for the community. Led by Jim Strickland, a teacher at Totem Middle School, the Marysville Youth Action Network (MYAN) is quickly evolving into a dynamic coalition that is producing visible results.

The difference between MYAN and other youth-focused organizations is in its agenda. The network employs a “bottom-up, grassroots” organizational style that starts with the interests and concerns of the teens instead of a predetermined goal. By encouraging the young people to take meaningful action on a project of their choice, the teens gain real-life experience in planning, consensus-building and presentation skills.

Strickland explained, “As a network, MYAN is primarily about communication and connection. We’re an open, democratic organization with no formal hierarchy or by-laws.”

That doesn’t mean the meetings are chaotic, though. At a recent afternoon session, the two dozen kids in attendance listened respectfully to presentations by Joanne Mulligan of the Marysville Food Bank and Rebecca Wike from Cocoon House, each pointing out ways the youth could support those efforts.

Teens involved in ongoing projects then provided progress reports to the group. From break dancing to a bike park to a seasonal project in support of local foster children, youth leaders discussed possibilities and reported challenges.

Breanna Wickberg, a freshman at Marysville-Pilchuck High School, is pushing for a BMX bike park in the city and has gathered nearly 200 signatures supporting the idea. Last month she presented the petition, along with a detailed plan and photographs of similar parks, to the Marysville Parks Department advisory board. Much more work is still to be done, but Wickberg is satisfied with her progress so far.

Another group of teens are teaching the art of break dancing to elementary school students at the Marysville YMCA’s after-school program. While helping the younger kids learn the moves and get some exercise, the teenagers are also getting lessons in mentoring and responsibility.

Before breaking into small project groups at the recent meeting, Strickland asked if anyone had new ideas to share. Breanna Wickberg offered a challenge: help find more chairs for students at M-PHS. “There are too many students and not enough chairs,” she explained, “so some kids have to stand up during class.” Wickberg’s concern was shared by others, and another project team was formed.

The next MYAN meeting is planned for Wednesday, December 19, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Ken Baxter Senior Center at Comeford Park. Teenagers and interested adults are invited to attend. For more information, contact Jim Strickland at (425) 870-1631 or by e-mail at livedemocracy@hotmail.com.

As Strickland writes on the group’s new Web site, “Find something worth doing and do it!”

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