A New Generation of Leaders: NJCDC Welcomes Its 21st Paterson Youth Council Class

What happens when you give young people a real role in shaping their community? For more than two decades, NJCDC’s Paterson Youth Council (PYC) has been answering that question, one generation of young leaders at a time.

This fall, PYC welcomed its 21st class of 35 Paterson teenagers for a year of leadership development, community service, and civic engagement. After an especially strong response from applicants, NJCDC expanded the Council beyond its customary 30 members.

For these Paterson students, it’s a chance to discover their strengths, build friendships, and have a meaningful say in the future of their city.

Different Stories, One Shared Purpose

Each new member brings a unique background and reason for joining, but a common motivation emerges: making Paterson better for the next generation.

For Anny Gomez, a 16-year-old junior at Passaic County Technical Institute, joining PYC is personal. Growing up, Anny saw firsthand the support her family received from NJCDC and other community organizations. More recently, she began volunteering with English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, discovering how rewarding it is to help others facing similar challenges.

 “I joined because I want to be able to give back to my community, just like I was once helped,” she explained.

Anny also hopes to connect more Paterson teenagers with mentors. “A lot of us are the first in our families to go to college or complete high school, so sometimes it’s hard to walk that path alone,” she said. “Sometimes, what you need is someone who’s been there before and can help you.”

For Rút Rodriguez, a junior at International High School who moved to Paterson three years ago, the Council offers a chance to become more involved in a community she appreciates for its diversity and energy. She hopes to advocate for more welcoming, safe spaces where teenagers can spend time together. “If we have more spaces where we can be, that will build a sense of community,” she explained.

 Rút also wants students to have a greater say in decisions affecting their lives. “If they’re going to affect us, we should have a voice in it,” she said.

Turning Lived Experience into Advocacy

Other new members hope to advocate for issues they’ve witnessed firsthand.

Marianna Santisteban, a senior at International High School, is passionate about education. Through an early college program at Passaic County Community College, she’s on track to graduate next spring with both her high school diploma and an associate degree in business administration.

 But Marianna knows not every student has access to the same academic support. “I have younger siblings who struggle academically, and it's hard for them to find support,” she explained. “If I can help kids like them, who maybe don't learn the same way as everyone else, or who just moved here and don’t know the language, I would really love to do that.”

A lifelong Paterson resident, Marianna also recognizes that different neighborhoods face different challenges. “Everyone grows up in different areas of Paterson, and every area has its own needs,” she said.

For Iman Balogun, a 15-year-old sophomore at International High School, the opportunity to make a difference was itself a revelation. When she first learned about PYC, her reaction was simple: “I was like, wow, I’m only 15 and I can make a difference.”

 Iman hopes to advocate for more positive, supervised activities where Paterson teenagers can build friendships and find support. “I joined because I wanted to spread awareness about young people’s mental health, and I wanted to see if we could create more opportunities for them,” she explained.

“This year’s class is already bringing tremendous enthusiasm and thoughtful ideas about how to strengthen their community,” said David Gelman, NJCDC’s Chief Program Officer and advisor to PYC. “Our job is to give them the tools, confidence, and opportunities to turn those ideas into action.”

From Camp Bernie to Campaign Season

The new class wasted little time getting started. In mid-September, members traveled to YMCA Camp Bernie for an overnight orientation retreat. Through rock climbing, archery, campfires, and team-building activities, students stepped outside their comfort zones and began forming new friendships. For Anny, the retreat offered an early glimpse of the connections she hopes to build. “I had a lot of fun there,” she said. “I’m excited to experience that sense of community again.”

Next up are the Council’s annual leadership elections, when students will deliver campaign speeches and choose their president, vice president, and treasurer. Over the coming months, members will participate in workshops and community service projects. Upcoming roundtables on politics and community service will continue PYC’s tradition of bringing students together with elected officials, and of exploring the role of arts and culture in community life.

For Rút, those conversations are especially exciting. “I like speaking out on political topics,” she said. “Just hearing about other people’s opinions and then sharing mine — I’m very excited for that.”

The year will also bring our annual Ivy League Tour, trips to cities including Boston and Washington, D.C., and scholarship opportunities.

Making Their Own Way

While their goals vary, the newest PYC members share a belief that young people can shape their city.

For Marianna, the year is a chance to become more confident speaking up. For Anny, who hopes to pursue a career in law, it’s a chance to grow as a leader and encourage her peers to go after their ambitions. Anny has a message for young people who may feel their futures are already mapped out.

“Just because our parents did something doesn’t mean we have to be exactly like them. Just because our cousins went down a certain path doesn't mean we have to follow that path,” she said. “We can make our own way.”

For NJCDC’s newest Youth Council members, that journey is just beginning.