I’m concerned about our young people.

Being a young person is not easy.  There’s talk of an overloaded, overheated planet.  Fewer jobs in the labor market after school and college.  A troubled and warring world.

All of these negatives begin to weigh down on our children and young people.  Many of whom see the future as an uphill battle and dark.

We adults have the responsibility of helping our youth become optimistic stakeholders in their future.

And while we need to education them for success through sports and learning, we also need to nourish their creative sides.

Teen centers have been deemed successful in making young people feel valued, happier, to feel responsible, and to build social relationships across cultural lines.

Locally we have very few teen centers where young people can meet away from school, parents, and churches.  And where they can play, be creative, and really learn about each other.

Our community is very diverse and the success in our local senior centers in making people happier and helping meld cultures at the upper age level needs to be replicated for our youth.  Not only giving them somewhere to go, but also somewhere for them to be themselves, share their lives, and grow.  And be happier for it.

Let’s help our youth face the future with strength.  Our world is also theirs.

Nerys Levy