In Gilbert, Arizona, a new initiative is taking shape as city leaders, including Mayor Scott Anderson, team up with local schools and the Gilbert Police Department to amp up support for young people. The effort, dubbed the Advancing Gilbert’s Education Team (AdEd), comes just in time for the new school year. At the forefront of AdEd are plans to address a range of issues, from campus safety to the prevention of teen violence, and bolstering pathways to higher education and job prospects for the youth.
The recent gathering, which brought together administrators from various educational institutions, also saw the participation of Gilbert Police’s Youth Community Engagement Officer Emily King. A report from Town of Gilbert's official website, outlined the priorities of this collaboration, highlighting the community's role in ensuring a supportive environment for young minds. Mayor Anderson, voiced a sentiment that resonated with his commitment to the town's youth, "Helping our kids succeed is one of the most important responsibilities we hold as a community," he said, according to the report.
Existing initiatives like the Gilbert Youth Leadership Academy and the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee were brought to light as existing templates of engagement. In his commentary, Anderson underscored the imperative to raise community awareness around these programs. The AdEd group is not a one-off; this assemblage of minds is set to meet quarterly to deliberate on various youth-centric topics, like education to employment transitions, college preparedness, and even issues touching on infrastructure, such as safe routes and broadband access.
The call is out for more school leaders to join this think-tank ahead of their next meeting in early October. Those looking to make an impact and steer the course for Gilbert's younger population, have been encouraged to reach out via email to [email protected]. In a concerted bid to weave a tapestry of opportunity, the cooperative effort epitomizes a quote from the Town of Gilbert's release, "When schools, families, and city leaders come together, we have the opportunity to create an environment where children are not only safe but also inspired to dream big and achieve more."
