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Who We Are

The Chase Youth Commission is a voice for all youth in Spokane County. We provide a positive environment to collaborate with young people and empower them to become leaders. We are investing in our most valuable resource – our youth. CYC is a regional organization, supported by the citizens of the City of Spokane and Spokane County through inter-local agreement.

History of the Chase Youth Commission

If ever there was a champion of youth in the Spokane community, it was Jim Chase. A Mayor of Spokane, he brought a city government integrity, leadership and responsiveness. He was a vocal supporter of establishing a City Youth Department and a citizen body who would provide a voice for youth within local government. In 1985 Mayor Chase’s vision was realized with the formation of the Chase Youth Commission (CYC). As a municipal body, the Commission, and its supporting Office of Youth, began working to build and leverage resources, empower young people, and seek solutions to youth problems.

In 1998, the Commission became a joint City/County agency, consisting of seven youth and eight adult citizens living both inside and outside of Spokane city limits. Through this expansion, the Commission was able to provide regional solutions, provide empowering leadership opportunities to young people throughout the County. To this day, the Chase Youth Commission remains one of the most well-developed, successful organizations of its kind in the country. For their 25-year investment in the Chase Youth Commission, the citizens of Spokane County have gained both national recognition and a truly unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of Spokane’s young people, investing in healthy youth and building a healthy community.

What We Do

The Chase Youth Commission both advises the Spokane City Council and board of County Commissioners on youth issues, and pursues its own agenda of programs and community activities. Over the past two decades, the Commission has developed infrastructures for both youth involvement in local government, community service, and community investment in youth and their communities. Recent projects include dropout prevention activities, anti-bullying initiatives, the Chase Youth Awards, BOBfest (Battle of the Bands), the West Central Promise Neighborhood Project, the Breakfast of Champions, and the annual Youth Issues Candidates’ Forum.

The Chase Youth Commission meets the first Tuesday of each month (Sept.-June), 5:00-6:30pm at Spokane City Hall. Commissioners also meet the 3rd Tuesday of each month, 6:00-7:30pm specifically to work on projects in conjunction with the Teen Advisory Council. Youth Commission members are required to participate in CYC special events such as the Chase Youth Awards, Youth Issues Candidates’ Forum, Breakfast of Champions, and BOBfest. The average time commitment is estimated at 8-10 hours per month.

Application

Get Involved!

The Chase Youth Commission always has opportunities for members of the community to help with our mission. Everyone can be a resource to youth, and every young person needs to feel that his or her community cares. If you would like to get involved in our work, please contact us or fill out a Volunteer Profile.

How is the Commission funded?

The Commission’s work is supported by a dedicated staff in the Spokane Regional Youth Department. The Youth Department is funded through inter-local agreement by the taxpayers of the City of Spokane and Spokane County and is part of the executive structures of each. While government funds support basic administration functions, additional funds for projects and initiatives are provided through grants and private donations. The Commission occasionally receives State and Federal grants and receives private donations through its affiliated non-profit organization, the Chase Youth Foundation. The Chase Youth Foundation is a 501(c)3 corporation registered as a charitable organization with the State of Washington.

What are the goals of the CYC?

• To be a community leader in the identification of issues affecting youth.
• To develop new resources for youth programs and initiatives.
• To serve as an advocate for youth needs and improvement in youth policies, directly engaging the community in the process.
• To empower communities to value youth and youth to value communities

What has the Commission Accomplished?

• 25 plus years of building relationships between youth and adults for a better Spokane
• Legacy projects such as: KidsDay in Riverfront Park, Educational Service District 101′s Spokane Service Team, and the Spokane Valley YMCA Skate Park.
• Youth Empowerment Project-Rogers High School
• National Demonstration Site Status for Spokane’s Promise Initiative
• Go 4*40 Developmental Assets Initiative
• Partnered with TINCAN to secure US Dept of Commerce funding for a virtual online teen center
• Establishment of youth positions on City and County boards and commissions
• 100 Best Communities for Youth People Awards four consecutive years