CONTINUED : Svante Myrick
happens , the larger and more significant the Network will become , and the more it will become a tool not just to encourage those who have already run for office but to encourage people who are young in general to run for office . Young people who are hesitant to run will be able to look at this Network of young people who have already done it and feel empowered to run , and I think this will be an admirable thing to see 10 years from now .
What does the word progressive mean to you ?
To me being progressive is something as simple as this : Franklin Roosevelt said , “ That it ’ s common sense when facing a problem to find a method and then adopt it , and if it fails admit it frankly then try something else , but above all try something .” To be a progressive is to believe that trying something is always worthwhile , to disbelieve the doubters who say that any change will make the situation worse and that we should respect the status quo . Progressives know we can always do better , and that to strive to do better is not disrespectful to those who laid the foundations , but is actually the ultimate tribute .
Is your parking lot park up yet ? What inspired it ?
It is up , and it looks good this year ! I walk to work , and I have this great parking space right in front of city hall . I wanted it to represent a new vision of urban life and urbanism that prioritizes people and places , instead of parking spaces . It showcases what we can do in all of our cities if we sacrifice less of our public space to car parking . It ’ s a pretty powerful visual to see what you can fit in that little parking space when there isn ’ t a car there . When I took office we had this huge budget deficit and we were living with this mentality of scarcity that made it seem like nothing new was possible just because we didn ’ t have money . To create a new park using no money at all showed the public that though these are hard times , it is not the end of times , and that with some creativity and a little timely thinking we can keep building our city and making it the place it deserves to be .
RECAP :
2016 Day of Service
At our 2016 National Convening , YEOs took part in a second Day of Service in partnership with The Peace Corner Youth
Center . The Peace Corner Youth Center , located in the Austin neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago , provides youth a safe haven from gang violence and drug activity . In addition to providing after school programs for children , it offers young adults job training and placement and GED classes .
This activity is an important tradition for the YEO Network , in which members engage with and give back to the community and – particularly this year – celebrate the importance of building the power of youth .
We began our service project with a tour of the facility and a discussion with program leadership on the importance of – and curricula centered on – youth civic engagement . YEOs who participated shared their personal stories and spent time with the young people . YEOs assisted with homework , took part in the young women ’ s circle , and played games of ping pong and basketball with the older students .
The 2016 Day of Service builds on the success of previous years and the Network ’ s commitment to community service .
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YEO Frontline News • Summer 2016 • PG 11