Phillip Gomez wants to assist the EC community in as many ways as he can.

Besides being ASO president, Gomez also became a member of the the Torrance Youth Council, an organization that represents the youth of Torrance and has worked to raise the awareness of political issues among high school and college students.

“As college students and teens, it’s important for us to realize that we have a voice,” Gomez said.

Gomez and student Catherine Lloyd are EC representatives of the youth council, which consists of students from Torrance public and private high schools and EC.

“The goal is for students to get their issues out there,” Deborah Reed, senior recreation supervisor for the city of Torrance, said. “It’s important for them to know that they can be heard.”

The youth council puts on ASB events, including mixers and bowling events to unite the different schools as well as an annual youth forum where students talk about political issues and community concerns.

Youth council members work as liaisons between Torrance youth and the city council.

What that means is that students can talk to us directly and we will work for them to have their voices heard, Gomez said.

“Students can bring up issues that they care about during those forums,” Reed said. “The youth council can then bring those issues up to the city council to be discussed.”

Gomez said his goal is to raise the community awareness of the needs of EC students.

“As the student body president, I thought it’d be a good idea to be a representative for the students, faculty and community,” he said.

“I want to get our name out there so that if we needed anything from the community in the future, they would be there to help us,” he said.

Besides talking to students and attending various events and meetings, the youth council members also volunteer their time to community services.

“By volunteering our time, we’re giving back to the community,” Gomez said. “The community helps us, so it’s our duty to help them.”

The youth council is currently planning the Winter Boutique and planning to finish several projects started by last year’s council.

“Last month we met for our first time of the year, so they really haven’t had time to do anything yet, but they’re all excited to get started,” Reed said.

Each year, the youth council plans two community events: the Winter Boutique, which has been around for about 22 years and the Spring Boutique, which has been around for 16 years.

This year, the Winter Boutique will take place on Dec. 12 at Wilson Park in Torrance.

“They’re great events for kids and families to go to,” Reed said.

Each event generates about 300 to 350 vendors, who sell various items from food to arts and crafts.

The youth council sets up food booths, raffles games and a special booth in the winter for children to take pictures with Santa.

Profits from the booths are deposited into the council account.

Part of the money is distributed into a teen fund for the Attic, a teen center near Torrance High School, where many local band concerts, events and activities take place to promote a safe environment for teens.

Non-profit youth organizations may apply for the grant by submitting applications to the council.

Youth council members filter applications and decide which groups get the grant money.

“It’s amazing how much of a voice we have as students and teens,” omez said.

“We have a voice, but people don’t know that. Being part of the council has made me realize that.”