A quiet, but determined, revolution is taking place in Statesboro, Ga., led not by long-time civic leaders or elected officials, but by the city’s youth. Formed in February 2023, the Statesboro Youth Council has emerged as a powerful force for community improvement, civic engagement and youth advocacy.

The council’s origins are rooted in an urgent need identified within the city. Prior to its creation, there was no formal platform for youth voices in local government or community planning. Through the Village Builders Initiative, an opportunity arose to create a program coordinator position to fill this gap: With it, the foundation for the Youth Council was laid.

“There was no youth voice at the table. That silence made it clear we needed to do something different,” said Dr. LaSara Mitchell, who serves as the youth council program coordinator. “We created the group to make sure young people weren’t just present, but so that they could see themselves as leaders in the community.”

The council’s mission was clear from the start: to give young people the tools and opportunity to make meaningful, lasting change in the community. Now in its second year, it consists of more than 45 active youth members guided by a five-member steering committee. Their projects span beautification, civic engagement, mental health, public health, literacy and inclusion initiatives.

One of their earliest and most visible accomplishments has been the revitalization of the Willie McTell Trail, a previously neglected area in the city that had become synonymous with disrepair, litter and safety concerns.

“The trail really needed some love,” Mitchell said. “There were benches falling apart, no water fountains, and it just wasn’t a space families wanted to use.”

The Youth Council envisioned something better. They applied for a placemaking grant and secured $500, an amount later matched by the City of Statesboro. Community partners soon joined in, and with additional donations from organizations such as the Georgia Municipal Association, local Rotary Club, the public works and Statesboro Police departments and the library, they were able to raise over $8,000 to fully transform the trail.

The youth didn’t just plan the project, they participated every step of the way. They selected the new seating styles, helped design landscaping improvements, and worked side by side with public works employees to install benches, tables and water fountains. They removed brush, laid sod and created a more inviting space for families, walkers and bikers alike.

“We didn’t just sit in meetings. We were out there working, designing, planting,” said Mitchell. “These young people saw a space that had been forgotten and made it into something beautiful.”

The process was not without challenges, however. Severe weather, including flooding from Hurricane Debby and a winter snowstorm, caused the council to miss key deadlines and delay construction.

“We experienced what it looks like to stay dedicated to a vision, even when things go wrong,” Mitchell said. “That was the real lesson: how to persist and how to lead through obstacles.”

Even as storms stalled progress, the council pressed on. Members organized fundraising events and concerts to raise money before requesting outside support, which demonstrated not only initiative but responsibility and ownership.

“We wanted the community to see we were invested,” Mitchell said. “They weren’t going to support a project unless we showed we were committed first.”

Today, the trail is no longer just a path, it’s a symbol of what youth leadership can accomplish. With benches, fountains and new landscaping in place, the space is now a hub for families, youth and community gatherings. And maintenance is ongoing: The youth council conducts trail clean-ups every other month to ensure the space stays safe and beautiful.

While some residents had concerns about potential vandalism or loitering, the revitalized space has defied expectations. The homeless population that once occupied the area has since moved on, and the trail has taken on a new identity as a welcoming, cared-for public space.

“We knew there might be concerns,” Mitchell said. “But the opposite happened. When you create something beautiful and put youth in charge of it, people respect it.”

With this success behind them, youth council members are already looking ahead to Phase Two of their vision. Current plans include working with the Statesboro Library to create a reading park, aimed at encouraging early literacy and providing children with an outdoor educational experience. Additional improvements such as signage and more advanced landscaping are also in discussion.

The trail project is just one piece of a much larger picture. The council continues to meet monthly, developing initiatives focused on mental health, education, community advocacy and inclusion. A pressing issue it has taken on recently is the closure of the city’s Boys and Girls Club. Youth members are actively searching for solutions to fill the after-school programming gap for children who need additional support.

Their advocacy also extends into local government and education policy, with members making presentations and proposals to city officials, school boards and civic groups.

“They are advocates for so many things, like mental health, education and inclusion,” Mitchell shared. “They’re not just participating. They’re pushing change forward.”

In 2024, the youth council had the distinction of representing Statesboro at the All-American Cities competition in Denver, Colo. It was the only delegation from Georgia to attend.

“We didn’t win, but we competed alongside some amazing cities,” Mitchell said. “And we’re planning to reapply and attend again next year. It was an incredible learning experience.”

Through it all, collaboration has remained at the core of the model. Every milestone has been the result of partnerships with the city, with nonprofits, and most of all, among the youth themselves.

“They’re not waiting to be tomorrow’s leaders,” Mitchell said. “They’re leading now.”

The Statesboro Youth Council has redefined what youth engagement looks like in a small city. With strong leadership, community backing and a growing list of accomplishments, their work has just begun. Its impact is already undeniable.

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