Peer Education & Awareness
Through this committee, we identify needs and provide opportunities for youth input on various topics and educational opportunities for kids of all ages.
Westport Candidate Conversation
Mark your calendars for a student-focused conversation among the First Selectman candidates on October 14th, 7:00 PM at Toquet Hall!
This format of the event, sponsored by the Westport Youth Commission with guidance from the League of Women Voters, is going to be a mix of questions with a common theme of leadership and character from the moderators as well as input from the audience. It will be co-moderated by Dan Woog alongside Staples senior Jake Shufro (Co-President WYC) and GFA junior Jack Thompson (WYC member). This event is only possible thanks to the willing participation of the three First Selectman candidates, David Rosenwak (I), Kevin Christie (D), and Don O’ Day (R). We encourage parents and all interested to come, as this is a non-partisan event intended to educate the community and promote informed voting for all eligible voters.
Westport Police-Youth Collaborations
Dodge-A-Cop
In partnership with the Staples Teen Awareness Group (TAG) and Westport PD, this annual dodgeball tournament brings local police and Westport high school students together, fostering more communication and a better sense of community. Students and police join forces in teams of 5 students and 1 officer and raise money for charity.
Corn-A-Cop
Based on the extra, enormous popularity of Dodge-A-Cop and Capture-A-Cop, this new annual Spring event brings local students together with Westport police for a friendly game of Cornhole on Jesup Green. The purpose is to help build relationships between our students and police through friendly non-enforcement interaction.
Gaga w/ Cops
Dodge-A-Cop and Capture-A-Cop, have been a huge hit...now we're kicking off a new school year with everyone's favorite camp game...Gaga Ball! Calling all 6th-8th grade students to head on down and play a little Gaga with some of Westport's Police Officers. The purpose is to help build relationships between our students and police through friendly non-enforcement interaction.
iMentor Internet Safety Program
Through the iMentor program, high school students work with younger students to help them understand various aspects of Internet safety including Digital Footprint, Cyber Bullying, and Screen Time. All Westport Youth Commission iMentors are required to complete an online training through Netsmartz. Presentations are given each year to 6th grade students at Bedford Middle School and Coleytown Middle School.
James S. Bacharach Award
To honor the achievements of youth in our town, we bestow this annual award to a graduating Westport Senior(s) in recognition of their service to the Westport Community. The award is named after James S. Bacharach, who founded the original Westport Youth Council in 1972, which eventually became the Westport Youth Commission.
Marketing & Awareness
WYC members can also work on marketing and awareness projects that work towards gathering information and feedback from peers, parents, and the community with regard to issues facing Westport's young population. Team members will help spread the word about our initiatives and serve as a youth voice for other town projects, raising awareness about the WYC's programs and the WYC as a resource for kids and parents.
Come to our Candidate Conversation
Mark your calendars for a student-focused conversation among the First Selectman candidates on October 14th, 7:00 PM at Toquet Hall, sponsored by the Westport Youth Commission with guidance from the League of Women Voters. The format is going to be a mix of questions with a common theme of leadership and character from the moderators as well as input from the audience. We encourage parents and all interested to come, as this is a non-partisan event intended to educate the community and promote informed voting for all eligible voters.