Youth Services

The City of Kirkland Youth Services section provides support, programs, resources, and advocacy for all our youth in grades 6-12. 

Details on our specific programs and services can be found below.

Kirkland Youth Council

KYC-Logo.jpg

Interested in learning more about the Kirkland Youth Council?  Please visit the Kirkland Youth Council page for more information!

Youth Traffic Court

Court Room.png

Kirkland's Youth Traffic Court (YTC) offers teens ages 16-17 the opportunity to have moving violations heard in front of a judge and jury of their peers. Any teen who has been issued a moving violation by an officer from any of the jurisdictions served by the Kirkland Municipal Court (Clyde Hill, Hunts Point, Medina Woodinville, Yarrow Point, and Kirkland) can partake in YTC. The jury reviews case information to determine an appropriate penalty for the respondent. Once the sentencing order terms have been completed and necessary paperwork submitted, the infraction is formally deferred by the Kirkland Municipal Court and does not appear on the student's driving record. If a teen chooses not to comply with their assigned conditions, the original offense will appear as "committed" on their record. The ticket may also be sent to a collection agency where additional fees will be added, and their license may be revoked by the Department of Licensing. To sign up for YTC, eligible students must file a request in person at the Kirkland Municipal Court (11740 NE 118th Street). For questions, please call the Municipal Court house425-587-3160 or Kirkland Youth Services, 425-587-3323.

Youth Mini Grant Program

The City of Kirkland is now offering a mini-grant program. The purpose of these grants is to provide short-term, limited funding for Kirkland youth and community groups for projects, activities, events, and training. Awards are typically between $200 and $1,000. Members of the Kirkland Youth Council review the grants quarterly (around the 15th of January, April, and October). So if you have a school dance, community training, or special event coming up and are in need of some assistance, call 425-587-3323 or email the Youth Services Coordinator at rschubiger@kirklandwa.gov. The Mini Grant Application(PDF, 210KB) is available in PDF format.

Youth on Boards and Commissions

In the Fall of 1999, the City of Kirkland along with the City of Redmond and the Lake Washington School District participated in the Youth Developmental Assets survey. One of the results of the survey showed that teens felt that the community did not value them. In an effort to change this feeling, the Kirkland Youth Council proposed that there be specific youth positions on City Boards and Commissions. These positions would have the same voting privileges that the adult counterparts had. After a year of work with the City Council and the City Attorney, the Kirkland Youth Council was successful in adding these positions to the Park Board, Library Board, Human Services Commission, Parking Advisory Board, Cultural Council and the Transportation Commission. For more information on openings and applying visit the Boards and Commissions page.

Kirkland Teen Union Building

Teen-Union-Building.jpg The concept of the Kirkland Teen Center or Teen Union Building (KTUB) resulted from the first Kirkland Youth Council (KYC) Youth Summit. Teens overwhelming expressed their desire for a place to call their own. The Kirkland Youth Council took on this project not knowing how long it would take. After years of research, lobbing, and plain old persistence, the City Council approved the construction of a teen center in Peter Kirk Park. KYC members continued to be involved in the process. Youth met one on one with architects, interior designers, City officials to ensure that this facility was exactly what teens wanted. In June of 2001, the Kirkland Teen Center opened its doors. This state of the art facility features, a darkroom, café, music recording studio, art lab, stage, and more. In June of 2002, the Teen Union Building was recognized as the Outstanding Recreation Facility by the Washington Recreation and Parks Association.

For the latest information on KTUB, offerings, and operating hours, please visit the Kirkland Teen Union Building page.