2024-2025 Applications are Now Open!
Download the Information Packet and Apply Online or by Mail
Deadline: May 31, 2024 at 5:00 PM (MST)
Established in 1989, the Governor’s Youth Commission (GYC) solicits the participation of 10th-12th grade high school students from all 15 counties across the state, representing Arizona's demographic and geographic diversity. Commissioners work to promote healthier communities through youth volunteerism and service learning, increasing awareness of the greatest issues affecting their community and encouraging civic participation. This empowers generations of civically engaged and service-oriented leaders to create a brighter future for Arizona. Commissioners are selected based on their demonstrated commitment to their school and community and their oral and written ability to communicate effectively through the application process.
The GYC achieves its mission through its five workgroups that focus on the following issue areas:
Distracted Driving
The Distracted Driving Workgroup aims to combat distracted driving by emphasizing the consequences of doing so and by also encouraging Arizona teen drivers to practice safe driving habits.
The 2023-2024 Distracted Driving Workgroup built onto the established public awareness campaign created by the 2022-2023 Workgroup that brings to light how negative driving habits have personally impacted individuals within their local communities, as well as provides information and resources for Arizonans to learn more about how they can save lives by practicing safe driving habits, and how they can get involved by downloading and sharing their resource fliers. These efforts will aid in increasing awareness and education to Arizona teens and young adults about the seriousness of distracted driving and how it is a 100% preventable problem. #HandsFreeAZ
Domestic Violence
The Domestic Violence Workgroup strives to raise awareness about domestic violence and educate the public on how it affects the vast demographics seen across the State of Arizona. To do so, the 2023-2024 Domestic Violence Workgroup is conducting a statewide Hygiene Product Drive and as of March 31, the workgroup members' 50+ donation sites have collected donations that have amounted to approximately $34,000 in monetary value benefiting domestic violence shelters. Additionally, and in partnership with BlOOM365, the workgroup held a no-cost community event to raise awareness about recognizing red flags in dating relationships, gather resources to prevent dating violence in teens and young adults as well as domestic violence, and explore the many ways to support individuals impacted by domestic violence.
Education
The Education Workgroup raises awareness of alternative and non-traditional postsecondary options and the importance of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) throughout Arizona high schools. To do so, the 2023-2024 Education Workgroup is working to further this by hosting webinars presented to Arizona high schoolers to better prepare them for a career they’re passionate about.
Financial Aid | The Student's Perspective
Download region-specific resources, including opportunities for one-on-one FAFSA assistance, connecting to local trade schools, etc:
Statewide | Central | Northeastern | Northwestern | Southeastern | Southwestern
Mental Health
The Mental Health Workgroup aims to increase awareness of the available resources within their communities to Arizona high school students and their families. To do this, the 2023-2024 Mental Health Workgroup aims to bring awareness of the 2022-2023 Mental Health Workgroup initiative of developing a toolkit for high school students interested in starting a mental health club using materials from the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program. Through these efforts, the workgroup aids in bringing awareness and education around available suicide prevention resources for teens that will reduce the stigma around expressing to peers when they are struggling with their mental health and ultimately reduce the number of deaths by suicide among Arizona teens.
Substance Abuse
Most adults who meet the criteria for having a substance use disorder start using substances during their teens and young years (U.S. Surgeon General, 2021). Because of this, the Substance Abuse Workgroup aims to spread awareness to Arizona high school students and parents on the dangers of substance misuse and abuse. As substance abuse has become an increasing problem among young adults, this workgroup provides a wide range of resources and strategies from early prevention to harm reduction that work to prevent substance misuse and abuse across the state.
In partnership with the Maricopa County Publish Health Department’s Youth Advisory Council, the 2023-2024 Substance Abuse Workgroup held a no-cost community awareness event for a panel discussion around substance misuse and abuse prevention strategies.