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The Spartanburg Youth Council (SYC) is a countywide coalition including over 150 representatives from schools, non-profits, businesses, youth-serving organizations, law enforcement, the faith community, and government. The mission of the Spartanburg Youth Council is to facilitate coordination and communication among youth serving organizations and to raise awareness about youth issues throughout Spartanburg while serving as a clearinghouse of resources for the broader community. In 2006, the SYC won the honor, on behalf of Spartanburg, of being named one of America’s 100 Best Communities for Youth by America’s Promise-Alliance for Youth in 2007.

The vision of the Spartanburg Youth Council is to emerge as the advocacy group for youth in Spartanburg that through shared resources, expertise and experiences, promotes the needs of young people to create a community that values all youth. This statement captures the Council’s belief that every youth in Spartanburg should lead a well-rounded life.

The work of the SYC focuses on different youth issues and initiatives and includes a cross-section of community leaders. Its annual Youth Leadership Summit offers area youth a nationally recognized motivational speaker, a “State of the Youth Address” from the mayor, leadership and decision-making breakout sessions, an education market, a performance by Imagine That, a free pizza lunch and door prizes. Its Youth Voices’ Youth In Philanthropy Project raised thousands of dollars to benefit youth education in Spartanburg while teaching youth the grant process. The Denny’s Corporation is the first business to participate in an SYC initiative to involve the business community in the lives of Spartanburg school children. Denny’s partnership with Park Hills Elementary, announced in August of 2007, includes a “Lunch Buddy” mentoring program, reading incentives, teacher incentives, a chance to earn a free bicycle, and a field trip for every fifth-grade student. In addition, the SYC offers member training; increases public awareness through its media campaign and “Youth Matters” billboard; and organizes several subcommittees focusing on youth issues such as alcohol and drugs, early childhood, the arts, the Youth Leadership Summit, and the development of the Spartanburg youth community.

Membership in the Spartanburg Youth Council is open to any interested persons. Simply contact the Youth Council Coordinator, Lavinia Hurley, at 562-4199 or at lhurley@cityofspartanburg.org.