Engaging The Lakeland Youth
At the heart of Polk County, Lakeland is experiencing exponential growth. It is a vibrant city full of culture, history, and potential. It is the gem of Central Florida. A new generation is emerging, driving growth and culture within the city. It’s the youth. Here is what you need to know to understand and collaborate with members of this demographic.
Photo by Kylan Stephon Hayes
Lakeland’s Youth: A Vibrant Community
Lakeland is a vibrant community sitting at the heart of Polk County. Like other communities across the country, it is home to a young community of students, artists, and individuals contributing to its long-term sustainability. An interesting and important trend to note is the growing youth population.
According to a community needs assessment generated by GiveWell, the percentage of Polk County residents aged 18 and under is expected to increase from 22% of the total population in 2020 to 27% by 2030.
The UCNA (United Community Needs Assessment) was designed to gain the information necessary to implement appropriate initiatives to address critical community needs, decide upon funding priorities, develop change strategies, and target resources to create lasting changes in community conditions that will ultimately improve the quality of life for Polk, Highlands, and Hardee county residents. Click here to view the full report.
What is clear is that local leaders and business owners need to prepare to cater to the needs of the rising demographic. This starts with an understanding of their value.
Values of the Upcoming Generation
Like youth across the country, our Polk County young population is very diverse. We place a high value on individual self-expression. For better or worse, we are highly individualistic, yet crave opportunities to build deeper connections with our peers. We place a high value on our mental health, understanding its importance as the foundation of our wellbeing.
Self-Expression, individuality, creativity, mental health, and authenticity are among the many values of the rising generation.
With this foundational understanding, leaders will be more equipped to engage and collaborate with the future of our city. Creating spaces where the youth can be themselves, explore their passions, and connect with like-minded peers is key. This is not a philanthropic topic. This is a situation in the hands of public-private partnerships to cultivate the future of Lakeland.
Photo by Kylan Stephon Hayes
Strategies for Engagement & Collaboration
As local leaders, it is our duty and responsibility to effectively engage Lakeland’s youth. It is our duty and responsibility to meet them where they are, not expect them to come to us. Here are some key strategies:
Create 3rd Spaces
Third spaces are places outside of home and school where young people feel safe, welcome, and can be themselves. This could be a community center, a youth cafe, or even a designated area in a park. This is where private businesses have the opportunity to create value. Turning store spaces into community spaces is an opportunity that can provide both economic stimulus and cultural vibrancy to a city.
Organize Pop-Up Events & Community Forums
Pop-up events and forums provide exciting and accessible opportunities for youth to engage with their community. These events could focus on anything from art and music to career exploration and mental health awareness. It is important to consider these details from the perspective of those you wish to engage. There is no need to guess. Ask the youth questions about what they value. Ask them what kinds of community forums and pop-up events would excite them. Involve those you wish to serve in the decision-making process.
Direct Outreach
Direct outreach through social media, schools, and youth organizations can help connect with young people and make them aware of the resources and opportunities available to them. This is a very important factor to consider. Gen Z does not respond to traditional marketing like other generations. If you wish to engage them, you must meet them where they are. That is your duty as a leader.
Let’s Discuss Your Organization’s Strategy
Social innovation takes strategy, and engaging the rising generation is no different. As Florida’s premier social design studio, we are here to guide you through the process. Let’s discuss your specific organization and how you can strategize programs to engage the Lakeland youth effectively to amplify your economic and social impact.
Click here to email us and schedule a consultation.
Create with Purpose, Join the VRTY Movement
As social designers and artists, we need to move beyond mere aesthetics and craft works with purpose. We can illuminate the invisible threads that bind us, fostering empathy and collaborative action towards a more just and sustainable future for all.
We cannot achieve this alone. We need a collective of passionate individuals united by a shared vision and a commitment to social change. This is where VRTY comes in.
VRTY is a thriving community of artists, designers, and changemakers dedicated to using their creativity to tackle the world's most pressing challenges. We provide a platform for collaboration, learning, and action, empowering individuals to translate their ideas into impactful solutions.
Together, let us harness the power of social-systems thinking and design a future where creativity and innovation are the catalysts for a more just and equitable world. Let’s let the art do the talking.
