Our Mission
Impact Wyoming was established in March 2020 to build stronger Wyoming communities through youth engagement.
Youth participation in local issues such as civic responsibility, economic diversification, healthcare, mental health, poverty/food scarcity, human rights/inequalities, not only strengthens their abilities, but also shapes their world views and affects their thoughts and attitudes about Wyoming and its future.
Our Purpose
We believe meaningful youth engagement creates a sense of belonging and is achieved through diversity, equity, and inclusion; these core values guide our work in creating space for our youth to have a voice in their community. Impact Wyoming strives to continually enable Wyoming’s youth to develop their potential, advocate for themselves and others, and bring their whole self to their communities, and to the world.
“Thank you, Elissa Ruckle and Impact Wyoming, for your time and investment in our young entrepreneurs! I have never seen our daughter work so hard and be so dedicated to something. Thank you so much for challenging her. She said “mom, even if I don’t win, this has been an amazing learning experience!”
"I’m really excited to have a Youth Council, it’s a great way for us to plug into the youth demographic and understand their perspective as we continue to make decisions. The more information we can gather from different demographics, the better decisions we can make. We can make sure we have the right vision for Casper in mind.”
"When young people discover they can be agents of change, wonderful things happen! They start to serve in the neighborhoods, learn about public issues, create innovative solutions to tough public challenges and eventually become the voters, community project builders and leaders in our communities and nation."
Our Impact
Casper Youth Council
CYC members serve as a liaison between our Youth, Community, and City Government.
CYC members serve as representatives of their peers; bringing the youth voice and perspective to government officials and staff.
CYC members serve as connectors, disseminators, of information from the City of Casper to its youth demographic; increasing awareness of and participation in local issues.
Students gain experience in leadership, communication, journalism, politics/local government, public service, and community development.
Membership in the CYC is open to any person between Ninth (9th) and Twelfth (12th) grade who attends a Natrona County School District high school or lives in the Casper community.
Wyoming Youth Council Association
Our youth are the future of Wyoming. WYCA hosts an annual Leadership Conference for all Youth Council delegates and interested youth throughout the state.
The WYCA Leadership Conference creates the opportunity for Wyoming’s youth to learn, share, and grow together.
WYCA members are building a state-wide network of actively engaged youth, working together to better our communities and state.
WYCA creates a pipeline of future leaders by stimulating interest in and understanding of local government operations and functionality.
WYCA strengthens Wyoming’s workforce by engaging our youth in the policy-making decisions that shape our communities and developing critical workforce/career skills as well as strong leadership. WYCA creates a sense of belonging and community by building relationships with local government/business/community leaders and emphasizing the importance of civic engagement, community service, and forward-thinking contribution.
Be Entrepreneurial
The BE program provides an opportunity for Wyoming high school students to actively contribute to economic development, business development, and community development.
BE creates the space for our youth to leverage their passions/gifts/talents, funnel their entrepreneurial energy, and gain the skills and confidence to proactively build their desired community.
BE introduces participants to the concepts of entrepreneurship and the process for establishing a successful start-up. BE provides the tools for launching a business from market analysis to creating a business plan and gaining financial support. Participation in the BE program is open to any person between Ninth (9th) and Twelfth (12th) grade who attends a Wyoming high school or lives in their local community.
Our History
Wyoming communities have struggled with youth engagement and retention for decades. Impact Wyoming exists to provide the space and opportunities for youth to share their voice and participate in the shaping of their communities.
Impact Wyoming partnered with the Casper City Council and City Manager's Office to establish the Casper Youth Council. CYC consists of twelve members with representatives from each high school, our home-school population, and Unaccompanied Students (USI).
Impact Wyoming launched our Be Entrepreneurial program. BE creates the space for students to not only learn and apply the concepts of entrepreneurship, but to leverage their passions in a manner that directly addresses a need within and adds value to their community.
Wyoming Youth Council Association
Impact Wyoming partnered with the WAM (Wyoming Association of Municipalities). June of 2022, in Laramie Wyoming, WYCA launched their annual Leadership Conference in conjunction with WAM’s annual Summer Conference. The 2023 WYCA Leadership Conference will be held in Cody, Wyoming June 7-9.