1. Bacharach Awards
The Bacharach Committee is responsible for soliciting nominations for the annual Bacharach Award, which is given at the end of each school year. The Committee will help to generate community awareness, make contacts to obtain nominations and review nominations for recommendations to the YC regarding winners.
Click here for more information on the Award
Click here for nomination form

2. Toquet Hall Student Coffeehouse
Toquet Hall Student Coffeehouse was created by the Westport Youth Commission and is run by a group of teens from the community called the “TGB” (Teen Governing Board). Rather than have a separate Adult Board, the TGB has asked that YC members serve as advisors to the board. This committee will be called upon occasionally to address teen center issues and help to provide guidance for the teens.

3. Speedial
Speedial was created by Youth Commission students to assist young people in seeking out resources for many youth issues. Jen Kelly and Rebecca Kane created the teen yellow pages in response to the tragedies at Columbine High School. The booklet was funded by the United Way. It is currently in its second edition with plans for putting the information on the web. The committee responsibilities include updating resource contact information, securing funding for new editions, and distributing the booklet to youth in Town.

4. Mini-golf
The Mini-golf Committee is responsible for the overall coordination of preparing documentation of how the YC will build the course, designing the course, raising money to build the course and creating community support and awareness of the project. Ultimately, the First Selectman will make an informed decision about whether or not he supports the project and will bring the proposal to the various town and board commissions if deemed appropriate.

5. Board Development Committee (Nominating)
The Board Development Committee is responsible for volunteer recruitment, training and evaluation and will present a slate of potential new members in the fall of each year and officers at the May meeting of the YC.

6. Internet Safety Committee
The iMentor program for young people was initiated by the WYC in 2005-06 to train young people and adults around safe internet practices through i-SAFE America.  It incorporates classroom curriculum with community outreach to empower students, teachers, parents, law enforcement, and concerned adults to make the Internet a safer place. The peer education model allows teens to speak interactively with elementary and middle school aged youth on internet issues and includes holding interactive lessons for parents and other adults in the community. The i-MENTOR Training Network consists of six online video modules, which are 8-10 minutes long, covering Internet safety topics and i-SAFE events. The WYC i-MENTOR team will coordinate public service announcements, parent forums and peer education opportunities.

7. Student Discount Program
The WYC will work with local businesses to provide Westport students with a discount for food, goods and service, helping to foster more connections between adults and youth in the community and result in increased exposure and support for local businesses. The program seeks to build on Westport’s wonderful community spirit, while actively providing our young people with opportunities to participate fully in all that Westport has to offer from food and recreation to retail.

8. Outdoor social/recreation opportunities
Working to bring new programs to Westport including the Outdoor movie series and possibly broomball.

The Co-Chairpersons may appoint ad hoc committees utilizing both commission and non-Commission members as deemed necessary.