Racine County is excited to announce that nominations are now open for the 2025-2026 Youth in Governance (YIG) program. This initiative offers high school students a unique opportunity to engage in local government, develop leadership skills, and contribute their voice to important community issues.

If you know a young person passionate about civic engagement or interested in learning more about government, we encourage you to nominate them for this impactful program. Participants will serve on one of five Racine County Board committees for a full year, gaining hands-on experience in governance and leadership.

The late County Executive Jonathan Delagrave, a strong supporter of the Youth in Governance program, once said:

"Youth in Governance is about inspiring the next generation of leaders across Racine County. It’s an opportunity for young people to contribute their talents and perspectives to public service—both now and in the future."

To be eligible for the Youth in Governance program, students must:

• Be a resident of Racine County
• Be a high school freshman, sophomore, or junior at the time of application
• Have a GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Be available to attend monthly meetings (typically once or twice per month)
• Participate in an orientation in April, a mentor/mentee meeting in May, and attend two bus tours of Racine County departments in June

Since its inception in 2013, the Youth in Governance program has empowered local youth to actively shape their community. The program is facilitated in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension–Racine County.

Bev Baker, retired UW-Madison Extension Area Director, highlighted the program’s long-term impact:

"Research shows that when youth are involved in decision-making processes, they become invaluable resources to their communities. YIG fosters that engagement, preparing youth to be future leaders."

A past participant also shared:

"Youth in Governance created a safe space for me to express my opinions confidently. I've never felt more empowered to be a leader and share my views on important issues."

How to Nominate:

Nominations are open until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024. All nominated students will receive an invitation to apply. You can nominate a student online by visiting https://forms.gle/jQiaBKcQaaEnELcb6, or you can download a paper nomination form at https://racine.extension.wisc.edu/4-h-youth-development/youth-in-governance/.

For more information, please contact UW-Extension Racine County at (262) 767-2929 or via email at uwextension@racinecounty.gov.