Olmos Park Youth Commission
Teaching youth about leadership & citizenship, service, community building, and enterprise
ABOUT OLMOS PARK YOUTH COMMISSION
What We Do
Olmos Park Youth Commission (OPYC) is a membership-based nondenominational, nonprofit organization bringing together a volunteer corps of youth residents ages 11-18 (5th-12th grades) in pursuit of four areas — leadership & citizenship, community service, community building, and learning about enterprise, where they will be touring local businesses and meeting with local leaders from an array of professions.
Founding Members
The organization was originated/co-founded by four Olmos Park teen residents: Eli Greenberg, Ava Satel, Henry Satel and Sam Spezia-Lindner. These teens served as the inaugural chairs of leadership, service, community building and enterprise and have overseen more than 40 initiatives and over 600 service hours given to our community.
Founding members in OPYC’s inaugural year include:
Emily Beauchamp, Grace Beauchamp, Charlie Beuhler, Laura Beuhler, Hill Britton, Spencer Britton, Jack Henry Bullock, Asher Duncan, Avery Eugster, Ben Eugster, Ava Greenberg, Conway Hamilton, Emerson Jenne, Lila Kelley, Avery Kieschnick, Brooks Kieschnick, Jr., Tommy Labatt, Sophia Lathrop, MK Lutz, Bryce Mazloum, Miles Mazloum, Austin McBirnie, Brennan McBirnie, Brittin McBirnie, Asher Menick, Ethan Parkhurst, Isaac Parkhurst, Juliet Parkhurst, Clara Person, Lindy Sauer, Wyatt Sauer, Camille Serot, Chloe Serot, Francie Sullivan, Trey Sullivan, Cati Tamez, Grace Toman.
Honorary member: Barry Bradley
Youth Doing Things That Matter
One of OPYC’s major goals is to help youth members take an idea they have (that meets one or more of the four OPYC pillars mentioned above) and help them or others shape their idea, promote and implement their ideas into an actionable concept!
As teens learn how to mobilize, they will become empowered and learn how to be an active participant in their community. They will learn what will make an impact and where to improve. They will gain confidence to take action when an opportunity or crisis occurs because they will have developed a skill, talent or relationship that gives them the courage to advance assistance or help where needed. They will learn about collaboration and what skills are needed to build strong teams. They will do things that matter.
Membership and 501c3 Non-Profit
OP Youth Commission Member Form
Young people ages 11-18 years/5th-12th grades residing in Olmos Park and Olmos Park-adjacent (area along McCullough and up to Hildebrand Avenues) are eligible for membership.
The cost of membership is $30/member annually. Contact: OlmosParkYC@gmail.com or 210-602-2573 with interest or questions.
Olmos Park Youth Commission is registered as a nonprofit organization with the state of Texas and has received federal tax exemption as a 501(c)(3) on Nov. 27, 2018. The organization’s EIN# 83-1899077.
OPYC Pillars
Leadership & Citizenship
PROGRAMMING
OPYC members meet with Olmos Park mayor and city manager and have presented to city council. We are also launching a “Learn about Elections” initiative to help teens understand how elections are organized, how to register to vote, what a voting machine looks like and how it works, what roles teens can serve, how to help a political party or candidate and more.
Community Building
ACTIVITIES
Many of our events are community building experiences. Most recent memorable activities include “Plant the Park” to plant trees in flood damaged areas of Olmos Park entrances, led by longtime Olmos Park neighbor John Leflore. Helping with Fiesta Frolic and July 4th festivities (hanging fiesta ribbons, set-up and tear-down, parades, etc.); hosting Thanksgiving potluck to benefit Olmos Park police, fire and city staffs working during the holiday. Coming soon in 2020 – “Tutoring Teens” initiative and working on sports skills,
Service
EVENTS & INITIATIVES
Throughout the year, teens develop thoughtful activities to activate service leadership. We have partnered with Kids 4 Kids with Cancer on an annual pumpkin carving, toy drive benefiting Children’s Shelter, held supply drives (sports equipment benefiting Boys & Girls clubs; books drives benefiting SA Reads; clothing drive benefiting Serna Elementary School; “Jeans for Teens” benefiting teens at Child Protective Services, “Food Bank Fridays” to help SA Food Bank during COVID-19 and more.
Enterprise
2015 – Present
We have hosted membership meetings with neighbors who are industry leaders from automotive, technology, medicine and packaged goods. Examples of speakers include Stephen Cavendar – youth members learned about the leadership concept exemplified in “Confidence is Cavender”, Danielle Kieschnick, Rackspace global marketing executive – Kieschnick helped youth members discover their leadership style; Dale Tremblay, president and chief executive officer of C.H. Guenther & Son – talked about the journey a young person can take to discover their passion and career path and Dr. Michael Lindner, who talked about pursuing a medical degree and what it is like to run and own a medical practice.
OPYC also volunteers for the annual “Sip & Shop” initiative to support local businesses each December. This past spring and summer, OPYC launched the “Jobs for Teens” initiative to reach out to local businesses to help during COVID-19. The initiative will be expanded in 2021.
Let’s make something happen together.
Youth Leadership, Citizenship, Service, Community Building and Enterprise 