Youth Mappers Set Sights on East End

Alexandria’s second run of Community Youth Mapping kicked off Wednesday with an opening ceremony at in Del Ray.

The project, focusing on the city’s East End this summer, identifies programs and services for youth in the city.

For the next six weeks, a team of 20 teens supervised by adult leaders will conduct interviews with managers of businesses, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, city sites and schools to identify opportunities.

“This gives us more than just a big map,” Vice Mayor Kerry Donley said. “It is a statement about Alexandria and what kind of resources we have for our youth. … This helps the City Council. It keeps us and actually makes us more youth friendly.”

Donley also spoke of the benefits teens will receive working on the project, such as developing interpersonal and management skills. The mappers, ages 15 to 18, will also be paid minimum wage for their work.

The project is sponsored by a partnership including the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria, city agencies, nonprofits and various city boards and commissions.

In March, the SAPCA presented a report of last summer’s findings, which focused on the city’s West End, at City Hall. The report displayed in that half of Alexandria. The results of last year’s survey are available online by clicking here.

Upon receipt of the report, the City Council pledged more support to the project from organizations like the Alexandria Police Department and Sheriff’s Office.

SAPCA Chair Allen Lomax described the data delivered by the mappers as “extremely important.” He said one of the most interesting findings of last year’s survey was the perception business owners have of hiring area teens.

“Employers want to hire community youth, but they don’t think they’re really ready,” Lomax said. “So we’re going to look into more mentoring opportunities.”

Lomax said he had planned a meeting with the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce to discuss the prospects of more mentoring options.