Letter to the Editor: Our City's Young People Need Your Voice

To the editor,

It takes a village to raise a child. That’s why I’m urging you to add your voice to an exciting plan to secure the future of our city’s children and youth. Your input is vital for the design of Alexandria’s first Youth Master Plan, which will address the needs of our city’s young people and build a solid foundation for generations to come.

As a youth and lifelong Alexandria resident, I urge you to attend one of three community forums sponsored by the Children, Youth and Family Collaborative Commission. It is our responsibility to provide guidance to our leaders so that vital resources for youth are included in this action plan.

Young people want to be successful, but they need appropriate support. For example, as a T.C. Williams High School senior, I’ve used the college and career center to strengthen my applications. I’ve applied to the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria in order to help pay for college. I’ve visited the math and writing center during lunch for assistance with confusing calculations and essay revisions. Without these resources, where would I be? Without any of the numerous services offered by the city, where would our youth be?

The question is, what issues regarding youth must be highlighted? With your voice, you can bring to light the primary needs of our city’s youth, so that these priorities may be included and resolved in the master plan. There are no requirements or prerequisites to be part of this critical initiative—everyone is welcome.

Forums will be held Feb. 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at T.C. Williams High School, Feb. 11 (6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Charles Houston Recreation Center, and Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at William Ramsay Elementary School.

For more information, call 703-746-5970, or visit alexandriava.gov/DCHS.

Emma Beall

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