Why Mercer County Needs a Youth Advisory Council
In conversations about the future of Mercer County, there’s a group whose perspective is often invited but not always truly heard: the next generation, our young people.
We ask them how school is going. We design programs for them. We worry about their mental health, their opportunities, and their sense of belonging. But too rarely do we create meaningful, ongoing ways for them to help shape the decisions that directly impact their lives.
That’s something we’re working to change.
At Buhl Regional Health Foundation, our mission is rooted in improving the wellbeing of our region – not just today, but for generations to come. And if we are serious about that work, we have to ask a simple question: How can we build a healthier future without consistently, intentionally, including the people who will live in it the longest?
The answer is, we can’t.
That’s why we are developing a Youth Advisory Council: a group of young people from across Mercer County who will do more than offer occasional input. They will help inform our work in real, tangible ways; reviewing scholarship and grant opportunities, shaping programs, and offering insight into what it actually feels like to grow up here right now.
Over the past several years, we’ve gathered input directly from students across Mercer County through school-based surveys. We’ve heard from students, in their own words, about the challenges they face, what supports their well–being, and where they see gaps in our community. Those insights won’t sit on a shelf. Instead, they will help guide the work of the Youth Advisory Council, giving members the opportunity to engage with real data and turn what they see into meaningful action by informing programs, shaping community engagement, or identifying priorities we may not yet see.
Because the truth is, the youth experience today is different than it was even a decade ago. In communities like ours, where young people may be balancing school, work, family responsibilities, and questions about whether they see a future for themselves here, their perspective is essential. If we rely only on adult viewpoints, no matter how well-intentioned, we risk missing the mark.
This effort is about more than just gathering feedback. It’s about sharing power. We believe young people are not just future leaders; they are leaders now. And when given opportunities, they bring creativity, honesty, and clarity that can strengthen the decisions we make as a community.
We are committed to building a council that is not symbolic, but substantive. That means creating clear pathways for youth voices to influence our grantmaking, our programming, and our priorities. It means closing the loop so that when young people share their ideas, they can see how those ideas are used. And it means holding ourselves accountable to listen, even when what we hear challenges our assumptions.
This is also an invitation.
In the coming months, we will begin accepting applications for students in grades 11-12 from across Mercer County who are interested in making a difference in their communities. We are looking for young people with a wide range of experiences; not just those already in leadership roles, but those who are thoughtful, curious, and willing to speak honestly about what they see and need.
To educators, families, and community organizations: encourage the young people in your lives to apply. Help us ensure this council reflects the full diversity of experiences across our county and communities.
To our peers and partners: consider how youth voices show up in your own work.
And to our young people: your perspective matters, and we are ready to listen.
If we want a community where well–being is supported, encouraged, and attainable for all, we have to build it together. That includes making space at our table for the youth in our community.
Because the future of Mercer County isn’t something that will simply happen to them.
Starting now, it’s something we should be shaping alongside them.
To learn more about this program as it develops, be sure to visit https://buhlregionalhealthfoundation.org/ and sign up for our email list.