October 26, 2009

Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin is working to keep young adults at the forefront of the Ohio city’s burgeoning revitalization and reinvention movements.

A mayor known for accessibility to constituents, McLin has been sure to include youth in her many outreach efforts—including neighborhood walks, one-on-one citizen meetings and speaking engagements with countless community, business and school groups.

A stone thrown in virtually any direction from McLin’s downtown office will find gatherings of youth-oriented and youth-welcoming groups—with names both revealing and intriguing, such as UpDayton, Dayton Circus, Dayton Create, Campus Connect, River Stewards and the Dayton Dirt Collective.

From a rapidly growing community of bicyclists, to emerging interest in the region’s natural resources, to art, technology and education collaboratives, Dayton’s young adults are injecting new creativity, innovation and commitment in a remarkable array of civic initiatives.

New organizations, often evolving virally through social media, e-blasts and street corner confabs, have joined more traditional groups such as Dayton Urban League Young Professionals and Generation Dayton, two programs involving young adults in civic life. Younger adults are also helping imagine, articulate and implement the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan, a comprehensive, citizen-driven vision for the central business district and surrounding neighborhoods.

McLin, who serves as Midwest Co-Chair of the Conference of Mayors Membership Committee, can be found at many of these groups’ meetings and events, as a speaker, panelist, participant or observer.

“It is easy to say that young people are our future. More challenging is to gain their interest and support them in staying involved. McLin said.

“Fortunately, many of our young people are finding creative and exciting ways to contribute and are doing so with enthusiasm. They are demonstrating the power of collaboration and innovation, continuing two long-held Dayton traditions,” she said.

McLin also does her part to prepare teens to become productive young adults. During her two terms, city hall has strengthened its relationship with the public school district, and Dayton’s Department of Recreation of Youth Services has expanded its offerings of after'school learning opportunities and free or low-cost community programs. Her annual Mayor’s Teen Talent Showcase helps develop confidence and presentation skills in the region’s young singers, dancers, musicians, writers and visual artists.

“There is a distinctive frankness and openness in the youth culture, and they bring that energy to Dayton’s civic affairs,” says McLin. “They are not shy about offering criticism when they think it’s appropriate, but they also jump in with both feet when they find a community activity that they enjoy participating in.”