Main Streets are future-focused, and that includes inspiring the next generation of Main Street leaders. Emporia Main Street developed its Mini Main Streeter program to engage and educate younger community members in Main Street work. I spoke to Jess Bucholz, Community Development Coordinator at Emporia Main Street, to learn more about the program and the importance of youth engagement.

What is the Mini Main Streeters program? 

This program creates opportunities for youth in our community to engage with local businesses and organizations. This summer, we came up with many opportunities for Mini Main Streeters to participate in various projects. They put up poster routes for Emporia Main Street, the Emporia First Friday Art Walk, and The Emporia Granada Theatre. They helped organize school supplies for a local church, constructed lanyards for a downtown event, and assisted with the Master World’s Disc Golf Tournament hosted by Dynamic Discs. The team also helped with our Veterans Banner project and offered support during our membership drive.

How did Emporia Main Street develop this program? 

In all honesty, the Mini Main Streeters started as a bit of a joke. I have a 7^th-grade daughter, and she and her friends found themselves with lots of idle time over their summer vacation. Since Main Street work can always benefit from extra hands, I started finding jobs for them in the office and downtown. Some of their parents started calling it ​“Jobs with Jess;” the girls jokingly referred to it as being ​“voluntold.” I decided that ​“Mini Main Streeters” sounded nicer and better reflected their contributions. We started sharing their work on social media, and other parents began to reach out and ask how their kids could get involved. Businesses and organizations also reached out to see if the Mini Main Streeters were available for projects! It was a great opportunity for our Mini Main Streeters to get off their devices and spend face-to-face time with the community.

What are your plans and goals for the program? 

We have seen a significant positive response to the program and would like to continue it into the school year and beyond. I am building a landing page on our website where youth can sign up to be a Mini Main Streeter, and businesses/​organizations can request assistance after school or on the weekends. Depending on the project’s scope and location, we will work with parents/​caregivers to match the volunteers to tasks. Volunteers never go to a project solo — we will always send two or more. Depending on the location and age of the volunteers, parental involvement will also sometimes be needed. Projects will be limited to a few hours to ensure our volunteers are not overwhelmed. I also hope to get youth-focused groups involved in the program (4H, Girl Scouts, youth groups, etc.). 

Why is youth engagement important for Main Streets? 

We want our youth to feel welcome and comfortable when visiting our downtown, and this program makes that happen. Engaging youth in volunteerism at an early age is also important because it can lay the groundwork for their philanthropic spirit and civic engagement. If kids care about their community at an early age, they are more likely to volunteer when they are older or find other ways to give back. We look forward to growing the Mini Main Streeters Program!