Novi Youth Council

In summer 2005, the Novi City Council adopted a policy resolution encouraging Novi youth to become civically active within the community as members of the Novi Youth Council. Each year the Novi City Council interviews and appointments school students to the Youth Council. The 19-member Youth Council is charged with making recommendations to the City Council concerning the needs of children, youth, and families in the city and the appropriate means by which public and private agencies in cooperation with volunteer efforts may address such needs. During their few years, the Novi Youth Council has initiated innovative programs and partnered with the community for the betterment of Novi.
 

One such initiative is an all night movie marathon, “Addicted to Movies, not Drugs,” in partnership with the Novi Police Department and Emagine Entertainment. The annual event raises more than $2,000 for a Novi charity and features drug education materials and the opportunity for students to create public service announcements about drug education for broadcasting on local cable television.

In May, the Youth Council meets with middle school students, educating them about Novi City government, and inviting them to participate as Novi Youth Ambassadors in the annual Memorial Day Parade. More than 150 students have marched as future Novi leaders. The Youth Council is expanding the program to include elementary school children and designing a coloring book to educate the children about Novi.

The Youth Council also partners with the Novi Police Department in project “Sticker Shock,” placing more than 6,000 stickers on multi-packs of alcoholic beverages warning purchasers of the dangers of contributing to underage drinking. The campaign is conducted during prom, graduation, and homecoming season annually.

Connecting with older adults in the community is also an interest of the Youth Council and 2007 saw the first “Senior to Senior” Prom in partnership with WaltonWood. More than 100 Novi seniors were treated to an evening of sharing with members of the Novi Youth Council, dinner, and dancing.