1 year later, Patrick to swear in youth council

By David Abel
Globe Staff / September 12, 2008

Governor Deval Patrick will swear in a statewide youth council today in an effort to increase teenagers' participation in state government, a year after about a dozen Boston youths marched into his office to complain that he seemed indifferent to their concerns.

Administration officials chose 28 youths, ranging in age from 14 to 20 - two from each of the state's 14 counties - to sit on the council, which is scheduled to meet four times a year.

"This is a way for students to see how government works and give them a voice," said JudyAnn Bigby, secretary of the state Executive Office of Health and Human Services. "We thought it was important to have a mechanism to get youth input."

She said that the council will serve only an advisory role and that it will address issues such as teen violence, education, and civic engagement.

One of the youths on the council, Eddie Mercado, 19, with the United Teen Equality Center in Lowell, said he wants to see an improved dialogue between teens and police as well as have the state help support more youth centers.

"I want to improve the Middlesex communities, so they're a better place for teens, and really help them succeed," Mercado said. "I want to decrease gang violence, see more kids focusing on sports, and programs that improve their skills."

Another youth on the council, Valerie DiCristoforo, 15, of Monson, said she wants the state to take more action against teen drug use and support more after-school programs.

"I want to see more involvement of youth," she said. "And, really, I'm just honored to be able to represent my small town."

Today's ceremony at the State House will occur a year after 13 teens from Roxbury, Mattapan, Dorchester, and Hyde Park accused the governor of indifference when they unsuccessfully tried to meet with him to discuss their concerns about violence.

One of those teenagers, who later met with the governor, Matt Williams, 16, a Boston Latin School junior from Dorchester, was surprised Patrick took as long as he did to form the council.

"But I'm glad he's doing something that concerns the youth," Williams said.

Kevin Peterson, executive director of the Ella J. Baker House, which has called on Patrick to address teen violence and other youth issues, hopes the council does more than provide the illusion of youth participation in government.

"My concern is that this commission will be symbolic," he said. "It should be aimed at dealing with some of the more substantive issues that youth are facing."

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