Youth civic engagement in Philadelphia isn't just limited to voting on Election Day.

Almost one year after it began, the Philadelphia Youth Commission - a group of city residents between the ages of 12 and 23 - has helped young people get more involved in politics and made plans to work with City Council on key issues.

According to College junior and commission chairman Ben Dubow, the group "represents the needs of city youth to City Council and the Mayor."

The members of the commission are appointed by either a City Council member, each of whom appoint one person, or by the mayor, who appoints four. There are a total of 21 representatives, Dubow said.

Since the group began, it has focused on "setting up [its] structure," according to Georgetown junior Joe Hill, the commission's treasurer whose hometown is Philadelphia.

In addition to internal work like establishing bylaws, the group held a voter-registration rally at City Hall and ran voter-registration drives at all the Philadelphia public schools, he said.

The commission also plans to draft legislation for City Council members to propose. The group itself cannot propose legislation, but "since most members are appointed by City Council members, they have their ear and can get them to propose it," Dubow said.

The organization's immediate goals, Hill said, include working with the City Council to address the closure of libraries and recreation centers across the city.

Hill, who is also head of the group's economic development subcommittee, said he is working to create a "green jobs" summer program.

All of the positions on the commission are currently filled, but there will be spots available at the end of this year since some members are leaving the commission because they are too old or going to college outside of Philadelphia, Dubow said.

Matt Zaccagni, a commissioner and LaSalle University sophomore, sees the commission as "an advocate for the youth of Philly," describing himself as "acting as a conduit" between youth and government.

De'Ara Balenger was recently hired as the group's executive director, which is a full-time staff position.

As executive director, Balenger said her job is to keep "the commissioners informed about legislation impacting Philadelphia's young people" and to help build partnerships with other youth-related organizations.

Balenger is also responsible for managing the commission's operations, budget and special projects.

"Just because some of our members are not old enough to vote does not mean they do not have a voice in City Hall," Balenger said.

This article was updated at 10:35 a.m. on Dec. 4. The original version misidentified the gender of De'Ara Balenger.