Oregon's youth are concerned about three main issues - the economy, education funding, and the environment. Regarding the economy, they see a lack of jobs and need for new industries in their communities. For education funding, students worry about budget cuts affecting their schools. They feel more funding is needed for programs. On the environment, youth value Oregon's natural beauty and want to protect natural resources. Overall, they feel their voices are not heard in community and statewide decision-making but want to be involved to help address these important issues facing their state.

1. Findings From Statewide Interviews With Oregon’s Youth1

2. MethodologyTrip OneWarm Springs 5/16: Playground Madras 5/16: Park Bend 5/16: Park Klamath Falls 5/17: Street Car wash Lakeview 5/17: Fairgrounds Burns 5/17: Cinema Ontario 5/18: Ontario High School Baker City 5/18: Baker City High School La Grande 5/18: Street Pendleton 5/19: Pendleton High School 2Project 2059 Road Trip: one on one, video taped interviews with high school students in Oregon. May 16th – June 4th, 2009Trip ThreeArlington 6/1: Arlington High School The Dalles 6/1: The Dalles High School Hood River 6/1: (Denied)Troutdale 6/1: Found no YouthBeaverton 6/3: (Denied) Southridge High School Hillsboro 6/3: Liberty High School Banks 6/3: (Denied)Forest Grove 6/3: Forest Grove High School Portland 6/4: Jefferson High SchoolLincoln High SchoolLEP High School Trip TwoSt Helens 5/26: St Helens High School Astoria 5/26: Astoria High School Seaside 5/26: Seaside High School Tillamook 5/26: Street Lincoln City 5/27: Lincoln City High School Newport Bay 5/27: Newport High School Waldport 5/27: (Denied) Waldport High Florence 5/27: (Denied) Florence High North Bend 5/27: Cafe Coos Bay 5/27: Cafe Bandon 5/27: Cafe Brookings 5/28: Brookings High School Ashland 5/28: Ashland High School Medford 5/28: South Medford High School Grants Pass 5/28: Park Roseburg 5/28: Found No YouthEugene 5/29: South Eugene High School Corvallis 5/29: Corvallis High School Salem 5/29: South Salem High School Woodburn 5/28: Found no Youth

3. Questions Posed to Youth3What connects you to your community?

4. What role does your community play in your life?

5. What makes a strong community?

6. In what ways does your community enrich your life?

7. What experiences have helped shape your opinion on what should be changed?

8. What is your role in finding a solution?

9. What would help empower you to help make that change?

10. What experiences have you had in your life that caused you to take action, if any?

11. What are your near future plans?

12. What issues are you most concerned about for your town? Oregon?

13. Considering subjects like education, health care, the economy, the environment, safety, equality and social justice, or something else important to you, which issue do you care most about? Why? What about (add your issue) is a problem now?

14. What is a possible solution?

15. How could the situation be improved and who would you want to be at the decision making table?

16. What role should the youth voice play in community decision making?

17. What does “sustainability” mean to you?

18. Name something about your town that other Oregonians should know?

19. Do you love Oregon?