Giving our Youth a Sense of Belonging & Hope

Belonging & Hope : Perhaps the most important things we can give to our youth today.

Many of us come from generations where spending time with other teenagers and children was a part of our daily routine. It was a place where we could play, share experiences, and pursue common goals, whether it was winning in a game, mapping out a bicycle path, or figuring out how to beat the curfew when the streetlights came on. These moments gave us a sense of belonging and shared experiences that shaped our youth.

Today, as we read stories of fentanyl overdoses, youth suicides, and the negative impact of online influences on mental health, it becomes clear that our children and adolescents are living in a very different world than most of us can relate to.

While technology offers incredible advantages, it also impacts our sense of connectedness and belonging. A quick glance at online news can leave one feeling hopeless and overwhemled by negativity. Social media posts only show what people want others to see, which increases the sense of being different or alone in one's feelings. Yet, as we sit in a park and watch children play, we realize that the core needs and wishes of today's youth are no different than those of our younger days. What might be missing for many young people is a sense of connectedness and knowing that they are not alone in their experiences.

Perhaps the most important thing we can offer to the youngest members of society is the chance to connect with one another so they can play, share, and see a bright future ahead. Let's create spaces where they feel safe and valued. A place where they know they are an important part of their community.

Our youth should look to a safe future filled with opportunities and joy.

They do not want to be alone in facing life's challenges.

Belonging and Hope. Certainly our future leaders deserve this !