Sequim hosts first youth summit seeking the needs of local teens

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Teens convened for Sequim’s first Youth Summit last week brainstorming ideas to build a better future for youths in town.

Ten Sequim students, including an executive committee of teens who led the discussions, met April 27 in the Sequim Civic Center focusing in on the area’s pros and cons, needs and more.

Sequim City Manager Charlie Bush began the effort for a summit following a 2015 planning session by Sequim city councilors.

“Our goal is to develop a short list of outcomes, projects, (and) new collaborations that would best serve youth in the future,” Bush said.

Planning for the summit began in January and a Youth Services Task Force, featuring service partners such as local law enforcement and representatives with the Boys &Girls Club of the Olympic Peninsula, Sequim YMCA, and more, has met every one-two months discussing youth issues in Sequim, Bush said. He spoke briefly at the summit and the teens broke into two groups discussing their perceptions of Sequim and what would better serve them.

Dana Nguyen and Elizabeth Rosales, Sequim High School seniors and executive committee members, said the experience was eye-opening for them.

“I thought it went really well,” Rosales said. “They had good opinions and some things they said I never thought about before.”

Students shared a variety of opinions and a majority of the group agreed Sequim needs a movie theater, more all-age live music events, more options at John Wayne Marina and better conditions at the Sequim Skate Park.

However, they were happy with the area’s natural beauty and food options, and they were proud of Sequim’s festivals.

Bush said Sequim High School’s Leadership Class will answer similar questions as teens at the summit this week for members of the Youth Services Task Force meeting on Friday to discuss.

“We want to mine these nuggets to help become part of a much bigger discussion,” Bush said. “We want to give them enough support so they can grow up here and live to their potential.”

Options like a movie theater are something Sequim city staff included in plans such as the city’s Downtown Plan, Bush said, and options like bringing in a yogurt shop, which students favored, could lead to someone reaching out to different companies on the feasibility of opening in the area.

Going forward, the Youth Services Task Force also will consider a proposal to include youths on their committee, as teens requested at the summit.

Whether or not another Youth Summit is held depends on people staying involved and how long it takes to accomplish goals, Bush said.

“We are relying a lot on partnerships and volunteer efforts to move this discussion along,” he said. “Sometimes they are sustainable and sometimes they are not.”

For the summit, Mike Flynn, Mary Budke and Ken Stringer helped the executive committee that consisted of Nguyen, Rosales, Shaun Jones Jr., Kaylee Gumm and Teá Gauthun prepare for the discussion.

Those involved with youth organizations looking to join the Youth Services Task Force can contact Bush through the City of Sequim at 683-4139.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.