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Published on 07/20/1998 All articles from this issue

Youth commissioners planning changes

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By Linda Taaffe

Town Crier Staff Writer

Farrah Abrishami wanted to stop her high school peers from smoking in front of Starbucks Coffee, so she joined the Los Altos Youth Commission - an 11-member board of local teens that makes recommendations to the Los Altos City Council on issues affecting youth.

"It just bothers me," the 17-year-old said about teen smoking.

Carly Turkus, 15, said she didn't want to be "just another teen hanging out in front of Star-bucks." The Los Altos High School student wanted to "make a difference instead of complaining," she said. She also joined the commission.

The Los Altos City Council appointed Abrishami, Turkus and nine other Los Altos youths in grades 7-12 to the first-ever Los Altos Youth Commission last March.

The mission of the group is to address teen issues, create a forum for public discussion of teen issues, and to plan and promote programs and services for teens.

Members meet once a month at Hillview Community Center in a forum similar to city council meetings. Each member serves a one-year term.

Since serving as chair, Abrishami said she's learned there's "a lot more to do" than just stop teens from smoking.

"(The commission) isn't just about teen needs and wants, but helping out in the community and being a part of it," she said.

Abrishami said commission members already have plans to clean up graffiti in town and distribute a youth survey to local high schools to better pinpoint specific teen needs. She said the group also plans to address teen drug abuse.

She said the committee is in the early stages of planning a hang out for students in grades 10-12.

"We're not visible yet, but I think we're making a difference," Turkus said. "The ball is rolling."

Robert Acosta, program coordinator at the Los Altos Recreation Department and city staff liaison for the commission, said he expects the commission to become "a big deal" once the members' plans go into action.

"It's a good go between to the City Council. Before there was no place for people to go," he said.

"The students really want to make a difference, do stuff and be active."

The Youth Commission meets monthy at Hillview Community Center. For more information, call 941-0950, ext. 315.