The document summarizes input from over 600 Tucson youth through surveys and community conversations on issues important to them. Youth expressed interest in having cleaner environments, more parks and recreational activities, improved transportation options, and safer roads and neighborhoods. They also want better high schools to help ensure their futures. The IGT Youth effort engaged over 150 youth through these conversations to understand their perspectives and involve youth in decision making. Most engaged youth attended public schools and identified as Latino/Hispanic, with interests in continuing to live in Tucson or elsewhere in the United States.

1. WHAT OUR YOUTH
ARE SAYING...
“The pollution and littering are bad for everyone. “I think that there should be
We should keep the environment clean.” more things to do after school
for teens.”
“It would be nice to have “The potholes
more parks and places to on the roads “We should have better high
go hang out.” are dangerous.” schools because our futures
depend on it.”
How has IGT engaged youth? Youth engagement by the numbers:
Community Conversations led by youth, for youth 600 youth surveys completed
Integration of IGT engagement into classroom curriculum 150 youth engaged through community conversations
Networking with youth advocates, teachers, and 130 youth want to volunteer and get involved
organization leaders 15 members on IGT Youth Team
Attending middle school and high school events to
speak directly with youth
The IGT Youth effort began in 2010, with Phase I engagement and data gathering
primarily between January-March 2011. A synthesis of input gathered through youth
community conversations, survey collection, and work with local schools, reveals
that greater Tucson youth are especially interested in:
Availability of public transportation (especially safe ways for youth unable to drive, and to desired destinations)
Having things to do (more parks, school activities, concerts, shopping opportunities)
Keeping the area clean
Safety (roads, lights, avoiding gang involvement)
Who are the youth we’ve engaged so far? Male - 44.2% Female - 55.3% Transgender - 0.6%
Type of School Race/Ethnicity Age Where they would like
Not in School 0.3% Asian American 3.9%
to live in the future
Under 11 0.1%
Home School 0.4% Other 4.5% 11 8.7% Somewhere in Arizona 2%
Other 0.6% Native American 5.2% 12 19.5% I don’t know 2%
Private 1% African American 8.5% 13 16% Somewhere outside the US 12%
Charter 3.4% White 30% 14 13.1% Tucson 32%
Public 94% Latino/Hispanic 48% 15 13.2% Somewhere in United States 55%
16 11.6%
17 10.8%
18 4.8%
18+ 2%