'The future is in this room': Parker introduces 16-member Youth Commission at City Hall

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — While introducing her 16-member Youth Commission Monday evening at City Hall, Mayor Cherelle Parker noted there are 345,000 children under age 18 in Philadelphia — nearly 22% of the total population.

“Yet their voices go unheard and they lack representation in government,” she said.

She says the Youth Commission, fully appointed for the first time in eight years, would correct that.

Parker said the city cannot solve some of its thorniest problems — notably, gun violence , which has increasingly involved child victims and shooters — without youth participation, adding this will give youth a chance to bring their issues, thoughts and concerns to the table.

The new commissioners, including Marquis Bailey, were eager to try.

“We are commissioned to be beacons of light among our peers, commissioned to lead with a heightened level of compassion and integrity, commissioned to lead to spread the spirit of love and unity throughout our city, and commissioned to put our boots on the ground and let the city know we are the next generation and we have what it takes to move forward,” Bailey said.

Cindy Johnson is ready to take on the mental health crisis among the city’s youth.

“Our objective is to work with city officials to make policy recommendations and develop programming with youth mental health in mind while creating a safe space for all youth voices to be heard,” Johnson said.

And James King has big ambitions for the Public Safety Subcommittee.

“Our aim is to break the cycle of violence and teach young people how to resolve conflicts,” he said.

Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said he was impressed.

“The future is in this room. There’s no question about that.”