About Us

The San Antonio youth Commission (SAYC) is tasked with advising City Council on matters that directly affect local youth, with the intention of valuing and empowering the City's youth voice to provide a unique insight into City issues and problems. SAYC provides an outlet to youth to civically engage with the City through advocacy and community service.

Currently, in collaboration with Project Worth Teen Ambassadors, the San Antonio Youth Commission is asking all San Antonio youth ages 12 - 19 to participate in the 2024 annual Teen Mental Health Survey.

This survey was made by young people for young people, and will help our San Antonio Youth leaders make suggestions on what would help improve mental health for young people in San Antonio.

• Opening date: Friday, March 1 at 8 a.m.
• Closing date: Tuesday, April 30 at 11:59 p.m.

Accomplishments

In 2018, SAYC created a public policy agenda to share with the City Council. The policy agenda focused on youth issues in the city.

In August 2019, SAYC presented policy recommendations to the Community Health and Equity Committee (CHEC) on the following:

• Teen Mental Health
• Gun violence
• Transportation
• Education

In 2021, SAYC and Project Worth Teen Ambassadors made the first citywide Teen Mental Health Survey. The survey results were important to promote youth voices. SAYC used the results to make recommendations. They presented to the Deputy City Manager, City Council, and the Superintendents of Bexar County.

In 2022, SAYC worked with Texas Public Radio and sponsored the Mucho Gusto Wellness Expo. The Mucho Gusto Wellness Expo was a free wellness event for young people 12-19. SAYC also participated in the first Teen Mental Health First Aid training from the Center for Health Care Services.

In 2023, SAYC received funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). SAYC allocated $70,000 of the funding to offer microgrants of up to $3,000. The microgrants fund local projects to support mental health in schools.

Become a Member

Applicants must be in high school during the upcoming school year to be considered. Rising freshman and rising seniors are welcome to apply, however it is best to apply as a rising sophomore or junior so you already have a feel for high school and can be a commissioner for an entire 2-3 year term.

To apply:

1. Confirm what district you live in. To confirm what district you live in please click here. Please only apply for the district you live in or for the mayoral position.
2. Apply for a commission member seat by visiting the City of San Antonio City Clerk Website. To Apply here
3. Find the “San Antonio Youth Commission” and click on “see all”.
   1. Check one box for the districts you’d like to apply for.
      • Please only select the district you live in and/or the Mayoral District.
      • Please only select one spot within the district you are applying for not both (this creates an extra application). For example, if you are applying for District 1 and the Mayoral seat, check one box next to District 1 and check one box next to the Mayoral spot. Please do not check both boxes next to District 1 and both boxes next to the Mayoral spot.
   2. Scroll back up to the top of the screen and click on “Apply”.
   3. Fill out the application thoroughly and check grammar and spelling.
   4. Complete the application and click “submit”.
   5. Ensure you see “Your application has been successfully submitted”.
   For technical help with the application, please call the Office of the City Clerk: 210.207.7253
4. Once you submit your application, please contact us to ensure your application was submitted correctly.

If you have any questions about the process please contact us.

Meeting Dates

For meeting dates and times, please visit the SASpeakUp SAYC website.

Projects

SAYC works on projects as a commission and within subcommittees. Their work addresses important issues impacting youth in San Antonio.

On March 23, 2024, SAYC drafted and approved a statement to address book banning in local public schools. The statement was read at the City of San Antonio’s City Council A Session meeting on April 4, 2024.

Read SAYC’s statement on banned books.