RFI – Youth Connector Web Application to Connect Youth with City and Community Programs

Project Description:

The City of Seattle operates or invests in over 150 programs for youth, totaling over $206 million in annual investment across 15 City departments. Programs provide youth with opportunities for connection through arts, recreation, mentorship, paid internships, as well as access to safe spaces, discounts and benefits. Despite the City’s investment, many programs go underutilized and youth continue to experience high levels of anxiety and disconnectedness. It is estimated that only 40% of programs are highly utilized, highlighting a gap between what youth need, what the City offers, and what youth can actually find.

During a 2025 research sprint, the City’s Innovation and Performance Team engaged with over 400 Seattle youth to better understand how the City could improve access to these supports. Learnings from the research sprint included:

• Most teens learn about programs through school or parents, leaving out youth who are not in school or lack a trusted adult to guide them.
• Searching online is frustrating and time-consuming, making it difficult to know what opportunities exist or which ones are relevant.
• Youth get information from YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram, while government outreach still relies heavily on Facebook, a platform teens rarely use.

The Innovation and Performance Team took the recommendations developed during the research sprint, as well as from a youth-led hack-a-thon to shape the idea of a “Youth Connector”. Using a co-design process, the City developed a prototype of a web application that meets the specific needs of youth.

The City is now looking to learn more about the tools and vendors who could bring the prototype to life. The City is committed to continuing to incorporate feedback from youth throughout the design and development of the final product.