The Town of Bennington, in partnership with ACT Bennington, is excited to announce the launch of the Bennington Youth Council, a new program designed to elevate youth voices and engage local teens in shaping the future of the community.
The Bennington Youth Council will bring together Southshire youth ages 13-18 who are passionate about making Bennington a more vibrant place for young people. Council members will meet regularly to discuss issues that matter to youth, plan and participate in community projects, and share their perspectives with town leaders to help ensure that local decisions are informed by the needs, experiences, and ideas of Bennington’s younger residents. Participating youth will receive a $300 stipend for a year-long term.
“The idea for the Youth Council came directly from young people themselves,” says Alyssa Irizarry, ACT’s programs coordinator who will facilitate the Council. “Bennington youth want meaningful opportunities to be involved in local decisions, and they are eager to use their skills and creativity to help make our community a safer, more welcoming place for all.”
“Bennington is strongest when every voice is heard,” says Tom Haley, Chair of the Bennington Select Board. “A Youth Council gives Bennington’s young people a seat at the table where their future is being built and shows them this is a place worth calling home, now and when they raise families of their own. These are our future leaders, and I’m excited to see where this project takes us.”
“I’ve been continually impressed by the young people from ACT who have come before the Select Board,” Haley continues. “They’ve shown a level of clarity and commitment far beyond their age and an understanding that the only way a community moves forward is by stepping up and getting involved. That kind of thing doesn’t just happen; it’s something we need to recognize, encourage, and nurture. Bennington is better for their voices, and our future will be too.”
The Bennington Youth Council is made possible through generous support from the Vermont Community Foundation’s Opportunity for Southshire Youth Grant.
“The Town of Bennington is grateful for this $5,000 grant from the Opportunity Fund for Southshire Youth of the Vermont Community Foundation,” says Shannon Barsotti, Community Development Director for the Town of Bennington. “These funds will support local youth who want to get involved in community development, learn more about how town government works, and share their ideas for Bennington. Young people bring fresh energy and new perspectives to the Town’s work, and we are excited to see how the Bennington Youth Council will take shape.”
Interested youth are invited to apply for the Bennington Youth Council at actbennington.org/council. The application deadline is Monday, January 19th, 2026.