From Concern to Change: How the Changemakers Helped Shape Their Community

When the Changemakers first attended a Del Norte County Board of Supervisors meeting last summer, they weren't there to ask for anything.

They were there to learn.

As part of their leadership development, the youth team wanted to better understand how local government works and who helps make decisions in their community. They researched their districts, learned who represented them, and arrived with thoughtful questions about issues they cared about, from road safety and walkability to community litter and places where young people could gather.

After the meeting, District 2 Supervisor Valerie Starkey stayed to talk with the students. What began as an impromptu conversation became the beginning of something much bigger.

Inspired by their curiosity and commitment, she later shared:

"What a fabulous afternoon talking with the Changemakers! This group of students takes on the challenge of creating change within their own environments, tackling tough issues that are important to them."

That conversation sparked a new question: What changes did they want to help create in their own community?

Rather than jumping straight to solutions, the Changemakers started by paying attention.

They walked through Crescent City together, noticing places where sidewalks disappeared, public spaces felt neglected, and litter had become a common sight. They talked about what made people feel welcome in a community and what small changes could make a big difference.

One concern kept rising to the surface.

There weren't enough public trash and recycling containers.

What seemed like a simple problem turned out to be much more complex than they expected.

Over the next 11 months, the Changemakers met with Crescent City staff, Del Norte County staff, Recology Del Norte, and the Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority. Along the way, they discovered that adding a trash can isn't as simple as choosing a location.

Different agencies share responsibility. Budgets, contracts, maintenance, and public access all play a role.

Instead of becoming discouraged, the youth leaned in.

They asked questions, listened carefully, and refined their ideas with each conversation. Every meeting helped them better understand not only how local government works, but how relationships make community change possible.

Throughout the process, they weren't simply advocating for more trash cans.

They were learning how to organize, collaborate, and lead.

After months of research and relationship-building, the Changemakers presented their recommendations to the Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority.

Their proposal included practical locations where additional public trash and recycling containers could better serve residents and visitors alike.

The board approved their recommendations.

For the youth, it was an exciting milestone…but it wasn't the end of the journey.

Soon after, the Changemakers met with Jon Perry and the team at Recology Del Norte to help place the new containers throughout the community.

Together, they visited the 5th St Skate Park, where two new trash and recycling containers were installed. They also installed a new container at the Library Plaza and relocated another container to better serve the downtown area. Additional improvements will continue expanding access across the community.

For many of the youth, seeing the containers installed was more meaningful than they expected.

The new bins represented nearly a year of conversations, meetings, research, presentations, and persistence.

"I feel the group did a great job presenting and asking questions," said Jon Perry of Recology Del Norte. "I feel they learned a lot about the cooperation of different agencies, and the process is not always easy. What we were able to do... I feel is a win for the Changemakers and the community."

The new containers will help keep public spaces cleaner.

But perhaps the greatest impact can't be measured by what's collected inside them.

Over the past year, the Changemakers discovered that leadership begins with listening. They learned that meaningful change takes time, that asking thoughtful questions opens doors, and that relationships are often the foundation for lasting solutions.

Most importantly, they experienced something many young people never do.

They saw an idea move from a conversation...to research...to action...and finally, into reality.

The new trash and recycling containers now placed throughout Crescent City are a visible reminder of what's possible when young people are trusted to lead, and when a community chooses to listen.