The Hampton Coalition for Youth was formed to ensure that the city's young people would successfully become the workforce and community leaders of the 21st century. Concerned with quality of life and economic development issues, the Mayor and City Council of Hampton wanted to explore options that would, in a time of diminishing resources and increasing stress on families, focus on the needs of children.Their question -- "Are we doing all that we can to ensure that our youth can be productive members of our workforce and community of tomorrow?" -- began the search for ways to address the needs of youth and families in the city.
To answer that question, the Hampton Coalition for Youth was formed. Once organized, the Coalition began extensive research and community outreach that involved over 5,000 Hampton youth and adults.
The Coalition's outreach activities included teenagers who represented the diversity of youth experiences in Hampton. The groups' poignant insights into the issues faced by young people as they grow up in Hampton validated the Coalition's commitment to include young people in all areas of the Coalition's work.
After reviewing the results of the research and outreach, teams of volunteer task force members and the Coalition staff developed a Plan of Action* and recommendations focused on the following critical issues:
- Support strong families - implemented by Healthy Families Partnership
- Build healthy neighborhoods - implemented by Hampton Neighborhood Initiative
- Create a system of positive youth development and engagement - Implemented by Alternatives, Inc.
- Ensure an ongoing community-wide commitment to youth - implemented by the Coalition for Youth
- Develop an appreciation for diversity - implemented by Citizens' Unity Commission
- Increase school readiness through an enhanced preschool/day care system - implemented by Hampton Pre-school Initiative
These critical issues continue to guide Hampton's youth agenda, along with new issues such as out-of-school time and workforce development. The Coalition office, now a city department, continues to coordinate, plan and be the catalyst for youth issues guided by advisory teams of city staff, youth, and community members. The department focuses on four major areas:
- Coalition building around Youth Issues and Policy development to protect the city's investment in youth
- Promoting Developmental Assets through a city-wide Mobilization for Youth
- Supporting and enhancing a comprehensive system of Youth Civic Engagement
- Sponsoring the Hampton Youth Commission and youth participation in government