Office on Youth

The Office on Youth is a division in the City Manager’s Office that provides direction on youth initiatives in Durham. The office works with youth, City and County staff, elected officials, and community partners to elevate youth voices and enhance services and programs for youth.  

Ways for Young People to Stay Connected to Each Other and to Resources During COVID-19

Pitch Your Idea At: Seen in Quarantine Challenge

*NEW* Seen In Quarantine Social Media Challenge: Calling all young people in Durham! Have an idea for a digital hangout event you want to host for young people in Durham? Need resources and help to pull it off? The City of Durham Office on Youth wants to help make your ideas a reality! Learn more.

YODurham Text - a one-way text line for young people in Durham under 25

*NEW* YODurham Text Line: Young people in Durham can now sign up for one-way text alerts about important resources available to them, such as food and employment assistance, events, and more. Learn more.

There are many other resources to help Durham’s young people and families right now. Please see below for a few lists that are kept updated. They include information about where to find support for employment, mental health, educational resources, housing, and much more.

Resources to Connect Youth Service Providers 

Join the YODurham listserv

If you are an adult who works with and supports youth in Durham, sign up for the YODurham listserv! Sign up here.

The Youth Opportunities in Durham (YODurham) listserv connects people who work with and support youth in Durham. Listserv members can send and receive messages about jobs listings, volunteer opportunities, events, resources, and other opportunities that support Durham’s youth. “Youth” is defined as anyone under 25 years old.

Our Work

Through our various initiatives:

  • We create new spaces and structures for Durham youth to be co-creators and decision-makers in local government.
  • We listen to young people and their families. We work together to find ways that local government programs and systems can better support all children and youth ages 5-24 years.

Learn more about our work:

Office on Youth 2019 Year in Review Cover - English Opens in new window

Office on Youth 2019 Year in Review Cover - Spanish Opens in new window

Youth Listening Project

The Office on Youth aims to improve how youth connect to, communicate with, and engage in local government and youth services in Durham. 

The OOY believes that youth perspectives and partnership are essential to achieving positive outcomes, and is launching a Youth Listening Project this year to hear from Durham youth on what they identify as resources and needs in their communities. 

Here’s what we’ve been up to so far: 

For more information, contact City-County Youth Initiatives Manager Lara Khalil by email or call 919-560-4222 x11224.

Durham Youth Commission

The Durham Youth Commission (DYC) is group of committed and community-oriented high school-aged youth who represent the diversity and lived experiences of youth in Durham. The commissioners act as a bridge, linking Durham’s decision makers and Durham’s youth. They envision and create new platforms for youth voices to be amplified in our community to ensure that the leaders who make decisions for our community hear them.

The DYC does this by planning and leading an annual advocacy project that aims to identify and address the barriers youth face in Durham. Members also receive racial equity and youth advocacy training to prepare them to better advocate in and on behalf of their community. 

The DYC is a chapter of the North Carolina State Youth Council and commissioners attend conferences around the state to collaborate with and learn from other youth councils. The DYC recently presented its annual update to Durham City Council. Watch the Bull City Today segment about it below!