The Teen Town Hall, led by the Metropolitan Education Commission’s (MEC) Youth Advisory Council, brings together students from the City of Tucson and Pima County to express their concerns on topics of their choice to community leaders such as elected officials, school superintendents, high school principals, law enforcement representatives, and the MEC Commissioners.

The Teen Town Hall offers youth an opportunity to discuss any issue they have on their minds, and for community leaders to listen, and gain a greater understanding of what is taking place in schools, neighborhoods, and communities.

Over the years, the Teen Town Hall events have served as catalysts for positive change. Examples of outcomes include the revision of curfew laws, the establishment of teen centers in neighborhoods, and visits to the Arizona State Capitol to meet with legislators regarding education funding, teacher retention, school counselor shortages, and mental health services.

This year’s Teen Town Hall will be delivered in a virtual format through a Zoom Link, which will be provided upon registering for the event. To register, go to the section that pertains to you i.e., student or community leader located at metedu.org/youth.

A special thanks to our partners: Pima County, City of Tucson, Pima County School Superintendent’s Office, The Center for Community Dialogue & Training, and Pima Community College.

Read a reflection by two Pima County Public Library teen librarians on why “Mental Health Matters.” Both attended the 27th Annual Teen Town Hall and reflect upon the comments they heard from Tucson and Pima County youth about the salience of mental health and wellbeing in their lives today.