Youth movement

About three years ago, a then 18-year-old David Viana was the driving force in recreating the Baldwin Civic Association. Since then, the organization has become a mainstay in the community, keeping residents informed about ongoing projects, serving as a liaison to government agencies and politicians and hosting popular family-friendly events. The monthly BCA meetings typically draw dozens of residents who pitch ideas and discuss issues.

Now the organization is looking to branch out to include a younger demographic. Kim Taylor, who chairs its membership committee, had the idea to establish a BCA Youth Council. Taylor previously served on the Board of Education, and said that students would often address the board during difficult budget discussions. It was there that she took note of the well-spoken young adults in the community who were passionate about their town.

Since she has become more involved in the BCA, Taylor has noticed more teenagers volunteering at events, and wanted to gather them under one umbrella. “I thought it would be good to bring everybody together and give kids the voice they deserve,” she said. With that in mind, she asked for approval to launch a youth council at the BCA’s October meeting, and its members OK’d the idea.

With the help of Sara Hill, chair of the BCA’s Beautification Committee, who organized the Long Island Chestnut Festival earlier this fall, Taylor reached out to some students who had volunteered for the BCA in the past.

Timmy Langdon, 16, was one of the volunteers at the Chestnut Festival, and when he heard about the youth council he was quick to get on board. “I thought it was a cool idea,” he said, “to get the youth involved to make decisions about their lives and their community.”

Taylor called a meeting for Nov. 6 at the Baldwin Historical Museum, and five 16-year-olds, all juniors at Baldwin High School, attended. Over pizza, the teenagers discussed how they would like to improve their community, and what could be done in the short and long term to make that a reality. Popular ideas included organizing a cleanup and sprucing up storefronts.