Youth Council returned to City Hall on February 10, 2025 to offer public comments during the Special Council Hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget for the City of San Diego.

For the past two years Youth Council has been actively advocating for funding to revitalize Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park, a vital greenspace in the City Heights community. Their efforts have successfully secured $1.75 million in funding from the city budget. This year, however, the challenge is even greater, as the city is grappling with a $258 million budget deficit.

The students were interviewed by FOX 5/KUSI News.

“I think the message is bigger than we just think of it’s just money, because like we are thinking of a bigger aspect of our community and it’s not just a park that we see as a landmark. We see a community going to reunite,” said Youth Council member Amelia.

A big thank you to Amelia, Kwaku, Judith, Denley, and Adalynn for taking time out of their busy schedules to advocate for the park!

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Click the photo below to see the youth featured on FOX 5/KUSI News!