Fargo Youth Initiative

Connect. Create. Educate.

The Fargo Youth Initiative (FYI) serves as an advisory body to the Fargo City Commission representing the current needs and issues of the city’s youth. It is made up of up to 20 students from 9th to 12th grade from high schools around Fargo.

FYI’s Mission: Empowering the voice and uniting the youth of Fargo through actions and teamwork.

FYI’s Vision: Creating an atmosphere where youth have a positive sustainable impact on the community of Fargo.

FYI serves three critical functions:

• To serve as a liaison between the City of Fargo and the youth of Fargo.
• To investigate needs, problems and issues affecting the youth of Fargo.
• Research issues and make policy or project recommendations to the Fargo City Commission.

FYI sets their own schedule and meets regularly during the school year and informally during the summer.

Various projects the Fargo Youth Initiative have undertaken include:

• Conducting a student needs assessment, with a focus on mental health and racial equity, that reached 463 students.
• Hosting an annual youth conference called “Impact Fargo” which focused on ways youth can get involved in their community and local government.
• Analyzing policy and making recommendations related to improving mental health in schools. View FYI Mental Health Subcommittee's presentation on 4/16/21 to the Board of
  Health, beginning at 2 minutes and 40 seconds.
• Analyzing policy and making recommendations related to improving racial equality in schools. View the FYI Racial Inequality Subcommittee’s presentation on 5/20/21 to the Human
  Relations Commission,
  beginning at 10 minutes and 40 seconds.
• Providing feedback to various city departments and commissions as issues arise that impact youth.