Focusing on Community Engagement
Communications Department
Port St . Lucie is a young city , having been incorporated just 62 years ago . It ’ s also a city bustling with young people – an estimated 21.6 % of its population is 18 years old or younger , according to U . S . Census data , which translates to more than 50,000 City residents .
Port St . Lucie ’ s Communications Department saw in that data an opportunity for engagement with a vital segment of residents . To help connect with that younger crowd , the City launched its first-ever Youth Council in July 2023 .
City Council appointed 10 members to the inaugural council , featuring high school students from across St . Lucie County who live in Port St . Lucie . The Youth Council will be led by its members , working under the guidance of the City ’ s Community Engagement Manager .
They will research , give advice and propose solutions to issues they determine are important to the youth of Port St . Lucie or issues that have been assigned to them . They also serve as a resource for the City on topics affecting youth in the community .
Recognizing the City ’ s efforts to engage its residents — especially its youth — in decision making and strategic initiatives , the National Civic League named the City of Port St . Lucie as a finalist for the 2023 All-America City Award .
The prestigious All-America City Awards honor communities that are working to improve the health and well-being of young people . The 2023 awards identified communities that are breaking down barriers to meaningful youth participation and enacting programs that will improve quality of life for younger residents and all members of the community .
|
The City was among only 20 finalist cities from across the country .
Even though the City of Port St . Lucie did not reign victorious , it was an absolute honor to have been recognized as one of 20 cities that empower its young people to engage in their local government !
The City did not go home empty-handed , however . The City took top honors for best use of social media before and during the competition ! Sharing with our followers how we engage with our youth — our future — was so much fun .
|
154 %
Growth in social media followers from 2019 / 20 to 2022 / 23
|
|
|
208,706
Followers across all platforms
|
1.97 Million
YouTube views in 2022 / 23
|
26 | 2023 City Manager ’ s Annual Report |
|
|
|