Brian Rodriguez, the son of Miami Lakes Councilmember Nelson Rodriguez, was recently appointed to the Miami-Dade Youth Commission representing District 13.
He was appointed by Miami-Dade County Commissioner Esteban Bovo Jr. and sworn in by Miami Lakes Town Clerk Marjorie Tejeda Castillo at Miami Lakes Town Hall.
The Miami-Dade County Youth Commission (MDCYC) provides young people with a vehicle to participate in the process of county government.
Motivated students from each commission district represent and articulate the needs of youth in Miami-Dade County and advise the mayor and county commissioners on matters affecting the youth population.
Through the collaborative efforts of Miami-Dade governmental officials and their departments, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and other community supporters, the MDCYC is a positive model for young people. Officials hear first hand what concerned teens have to say, have the opportunity to educate them about the governmental process, and create a symbiotic relationship between youth and the County.
The MDCYC is staffed by the Miami-Dade County Juvenile Services Department (JSD) which also implements the county’s Violence Intervention Project (VIP).
The youth commissioners recently visited Head Start Centers throughout Miami-Dade County to talk to preschoolers about the importance of reading, and to distribute books to the young readers so that they may start their own home libraries this summer. While at the centers, the Youth Commissioners took the opportunity to share some of their favorite childhood books with the children by reading to them.
“We are very proud of Brian,” said Rodriguez. Added Tejeda-Castillo: “We are so proud to have such an amazing young man representing District 13.”