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Known for her creativity, and unwavering commitment to making a difference. She works with residents, nonprofits and city departments to create inclusive, empowering opportunities that help the Pinellas Park community thrive.
In the City of Pinellas Park, a quiet yet powerful civic program is shaping what it means to be young and empowered. Here, youth aren’t just seen as future leaders - they’re recognized as leaders today.
For years, the City of Pinellas Park has empowered adults through its Citizens Academy, giving an inside look at local government. The response was always the same: “I wish I knew all this sooner.” That message lit a fire. Time and again, participants expressed surprise, saying, “I had no idea the city did so much.” While the program has been impactful, it has often engaged residents later in life.
Recognizing this gap, City Manager Bart Diebold challenged his team to take a bold new direction. “Why wait for adulthood,” he asked, “when we can empower our youth now? Let’s give them the tools, the knowledge and the invitation to connect with their community today, not years from now.”
This vision gave rise to the Youth Empowerment Skills (YES) Program, a unique, nine-week leadership and life-skills experience that empowers teens to participate in government, build personal and professional life skills and discover community engagement.
At the heart of the program is Jillian Rose, the city’s unstoppable Community Engagement Program Manager. Jillian didn’t just build a curriculum - she created a community engagement launchpad, where her passion turned YES into a dynamic, inclusive space where teens from all backgrounds feel seen, supported and ready to impact their community.
The program accepts around 30 students each year, ages 12 to 19 and is offered at no cost to families. It is purposefully inclusive, reaching students who may not otherwise have access to leadership opportunities. Every session delivers hands-on, meaningful experiences that strengthen students’ connections to the community introducing them to valuable life-skills, city events, resources, volunteer opportunities and summer internship programs.
YES Program: Week-by-Week Highlights
Week 1: Leisure Services – Recreation Program Innovation Challenge
Students explore the City’s library, senior center and recreation programs, then collaborate in teams to pitch new program ideas in a Shark Tank-style challenge.
Week 2: Public Safety & Real-World Awareness
Teens dive into law enforcement and leadership with the Pinellas Park Police Department. Activities include fingerprinting, K9 demos and mock traffic stops designed to build trust, awareness and essential life skills. Students also meet the Teen Police Cadet Program, opening the door to future careers in public service.
Week 3: Resume Crafting & Professional Readiness
Guided by the City’s Human Resources team, students craft their first resumes and practice interview skills. This powerful week shifts mindsets, helping students see themselves as future professionals, not just students.
Week 4: Financial Literacy & Civic Leadership
A community bank leads an engaging “Game of Life” finance/ budgeting simulation, followed by a workshop with Councilman Ricky Butler to learn what it takes to run a successful campaign and lead with purpose, preparing YES students for Week 5.
Week 5: City Hall Takeover & Community Impact
One of the program’s most empowering experiences occurs at City Hall, where students run a mock election, lead a simulated council meeting and debate a fictional ordinance. During the session, they also present nearly 200 pounds of food donated through a YES student-led drive benefiting The Kind Mouse, a local nonprofit supporting needy children.
Week 6: CPR Certification & Emergency Skills
With the support of the Fire Department, students earn CPR and AED certification, gaining life-saving skills and a valuable credential to add to their resume.
Week 7: Life Skills & Healthy Living
Students learn to check engine fluids and change a tire with Public Works Fleet Services, then head to the kitchen for a hands-on healthy cooking session, led by the City’s Health and Wellness Committee-empowerment through practical independence.
Week 8: Fire Academy Experience
Teens gear up and train alongside Pinellas Park Fire professionals. From handling real equipment to running drills, this immersive experience often sparks serious interest in emergency service careers.
Week 9: Graduation & Launch to Community Connections
Families, mentors and City staff come together to celebrate student growth and transformation. Many graduates continue their journey by summer interning with city departments, serving on the TeenWorkX Board, or joining Police and Fire Cadet programs - staying actively engaged in their community. Beyond teaching life skills, YES fosters belonging.
Jillian Rose ensures that students hear from leaders who reflect their backgrounds and understand their challenges. Whether through a job interview, a public speaking opportunity, or a one-on-one conversation with a mentor, every interaction reinforces the message: your voice matters.
One student captured the impact perfectly: “I used to think no one cared what I had to say. But now, I’ve spoken in Council Chambers, served as a YES Teen Program leader, currently serve on the TeenWorkX Board and interned in the City Clerk’s Office. Pinellas Park doesn’t just give teens a voice - it gives us the chance to become more than we ever thought possible.”
While many cities are still asking how to engage the next generation in the community better, Pinellas Park is already leading the way. With each graduating class, the YES Program proves that when we invest in our youth. Jillian Rose sums it up best: “When we give teens a real seat at the table, they don’t just sit there. They lead. And when they lead, the entire Pinellas Park community rises.”
When we give teens a real seat at the table, they don’t just sit there. They lead. And when they lead, the entire Pinellas Park community rises
The program accepts around 30 students each year, ages 12 to 19 and is offered at no cost to families. It is purposefully inclusive, reaching students who may not otherwise have access to leadership opportunities. Every session delivers hands-on, meaningful experiences that strengthen students’ connections to the community introducing them to valuable life-skills, city events, resources, volunteer opportunities and summer internship programs.
YES Program: Week-by-Week Highlights
Week 1: Leisure Services – Recreation Program Innovation Challenge
Students explore the City’s library, senior center and recreation programs, then collaborate in teams to pitch new program ideas in a Shark Tank-style challenge.
Week 2: Public Safety & Real-World Awareness
Teens dive into law enforcement and leadership with the Pinellas Park Police Department. Activities include fingerprinting, K9 demos and mock traffic stops designed to build trust, awareness and essential life skills. Students also meet the Teen Police Cadet Program, opening the door to future careers in public service.
Week 3: Resume Crafting & Professional Readiness
Guided by the City’s Human Resources team, students craft their first resumes and practice interview skills. This powerful week shifts mindsets, helping students see themselves as future professionals, not just students.
Week 4: Financial Literacy & Civic Leadership
A community bank leads an engaging “Game of Life” finance/ budgeting simulation, followed by a workshop with Councilman Ricky Butler to learn what it takes to run a successful campaign and lead with purpose, preparing YES students for Week 5.
Week 5: City Hall Takeover & Community Impact
One of the program’s most empowering experiences occurs at City Hall, where students run a mock election, lead a simulated council meeting and debate a fictional ordinance. During the session, they also present nearly 200 pounds of food donated through a YES student-led drive benefiting The Kind Mouse, a local nonprofit supporting needy children.
Week 6: CPR Certification & Emergency Skills
With the support of the Fire Department, students earn CPR and AED certification, gaining life-saving skills and a valuable credential to add to their resume.
Week 7: Life Skills & Healthy Living
Students learn to check engine fluids and change a tire with Public Works Fleet Services, then head to the kitchen for a hands-on healthy cooking session, led by the City’s Health and Wellness Committee-empowerment through practical independence.
Week 8: Fire Academy Experience
Teens gear up and train alongside Pinellas Park Fire professionals. From handling real equipment to running drills, this immersive experience often sparks serious interest in emergency service careers.
Week 9: Graduation & Launch to Community Connections
Families, mentors and City staff come together to celebrate student growth and transformation. Many graduates continue their journey by summer interning with city departments, serving on the TeenWorkX Board, or joining Police and Fire Cadet programs - staying actively engaged in their community. Beyond teaching life skills, YES fosters belonging.
Jillian Rose ensures that students hear from leaders who reflect their backgrounds and understand their challenges. Whether through a job interview, a public speaking opportunity, or a one-on-one conversation with a mentor, every interaction reinforces the message: your voice matters.
One student captured the impact perfectly: “I used to think no one cared what I had to say. But now, I’ve spoken in Council Chambers, served as a YES Teen Program leader, currently serve on the TeenWorkX Board and interned in the City Clerk’s Office. Pinellas Park doesn’t just give teens a voice - it gives us the chance to become more than we ever thought possible.”
While many cities are still asking how to engage the next generation in the community better, Pinellas Park is already leading the way. With each graduating class, the YES Program proves that when we invest in our youth. Jillian Rose sums it up best: “When we give teens a real seat at the table, they don’t just sit there. They lead. And when they lead, the entire Pinellas Park community rises.” 