Macomb Teens Pioneer Program to Expand Role of Youth in Community

Of the several thousand teens currently residing in Macomb County, 13 are taking an active role to pioneer a program aimed at increasing the involvement of youth in their respective communities.

The first participants of the ’s Youth Ambassador program, these teens vary in age, but share a common desire to make a difference in their hometown.

“I want to see this (program) get kids involved and active in the political scene,” said Marco Matassa, 18, of De La Salle. “If you look at history, this country’s government was founded on a small scale. We can get kids involved in this organization and help the community to start projects, come to meetings and be interested. We need more people involved in government.”

Though the program is only in its third month, MTCF member Mark Hurst said he believes it will be a success.

“(The foundation) saw it as an opportunity to give the youth of Macomb Township a chance to give back and guide the community as well as to learn a little more about nonprofit organizations and how local government works,” Hurst said. “We really wanted their feedback and they’re really helping out with social media, communications, etc.”

While the program’s first-year status no doubt deterred some area youth, it was this novelty that convinced Matassa to sign on.

“It was brand new, something totally different,” he said. “I can be a part of something that is setting the initiative for an entire area. We are setting the standard (for the program) and it’s an unbelievable opportunity.” 

Eisenhower student Jessica Hurst shared this opinion.

“It’s a good opportunity that other communities don’t have and I’m taking advantage of it,” the 16-year-old said.

For 16-year-old Stephanie Grates, being a youth ambassador enables her to play an active role in the political and nonprofit spheres she hopes to explore later in life.

“I wanted to get involved for college,” said Grates, a student at the Utica Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology. “I’m looking more into nonprofits and politics and I wanted to be able to help out other people.”

Initially open to only Macomb Township teens, the program is now available to all Macomb County residents in grades nine through 12. The ambassadors meet every few weeks and work as a group to set the program's short- and long-term goals.

For Jessica Hurst, these short-term goals include expanding the program's membership and focusing on community development.

“I’d like to see a lot more members and the program do bigger projects and fund-raising,” she said. “Macomb Township is already a nice community, but we can do more to keep it that way.”

The program is always accepting new members and students are encouraged to remain ambassadors throughout their high school years.

For more information, contact the foundation at 586-468-1919 or email@macombtownshipfoundation.com.