Teen Town Hall Brings Youth & City Leaders Together

Last month, teens from across Boise gathered for a Teen Town Hall hosted by Boise City Council Member Kathy Corless in partnership with the City of Boise, Valley Regional Transit (VRT), and Communities for Youth Boise. Mayor McLean, city leadership and staff, parents, and a variety of community partners were also in attendance to listen and learn from the teens. 

Teen Town Hall participants pose for a group photo

Instead of a traditional town hall format, teens participated in facilitated table discussions and talked openly about what life in Boise actually looks like for them. Conversations covered the challenges they face, how they use parks and public spaces, how they engage with their community, and what they'd prioritize if they were Mayor for a day. They also had the chance to ask city leaders questions directly and learn more about VRT’s new Youth Ride Free program. 

After some great conversations, here’s what we learned from the teens in our community: 

What’s Working

Teens appreciate Boise’s strong sense of community, easy access to nature, and its generally inclusive environment.

What’s Challenging

• Social pressure and fear of judgment can make it hard to show up to things.

• Transportation barriers and limited mobility across neighborhoods.

• Adults also noted cost barriers, lack of programming for older teens, and mental health impacts tied to social media.

  
  

What Teens Want

• “Creative hubs,” dedicated spaces for creating art or music, and more venues similar to the YMCA.

• More events tailored to specific interests and hobbies like athletics, music, and art.

• Safer biking and cycling infrastructure across the city.

• Permanent safe spaces where people from all backgrounds feel welcome.

  
  

At the end of the day, teens want to know their voices matter. They're asking for transparency and follow-through on what comes next, and for real opportunities to help shape decisions and be part of the solutions. We loved being part of this event and look forward to continuing to help make Boise the best possible community for our young people.

If you have any questions or would like to get involved in the current work of the Communities for Youth Boise Initiative, please contact Community Lead Heather Allan at HAllan@cdh.idaho.gov.

For more information on the Communities for Youth Boise Initiative, please visit our main page or sign up for our newsletter.