City of Alexandria Committed to Supporting Youth Safety and Resilience; Youth and Caring Adult Summit Planned
The City of Alexandria released a new report as part of its efforts to foster safe and resilient youth. The report highlights the importance of engaging with and cultivating a sense of belonging among youth.
“Youth Safety and Resilience Initiative: Focus Group Analysis and Suggested Recommendations” followed a June 2022 call from City Council to increase support to Alexandria youth after the stabbing death of an Alexandria City High School student. As part of the City’s 2025 Children and Youth Community Plan, the Department of Community and Human Services, the Office of Race and Social Equity, and the City School Staff Group led a diverse group of 125 young Alexandrians through a series of information-gathering sessions.
Key recommendations from the report indicate that youth programs should:
- Be creative, flexible, and inclusive to foster a sense of belonging.
- Promote youth safety and resilience by establishing strong support systems at school and involving young people in the creation of solutions.
- Use a variety of strategies and partnerships to creatively reach young people and ensure that they are aware of the available resources and programs.
- Build effective youth-adult partnerships by providing adults with ongoing training and providing youth with opportunities to participate in collaborative decision-making with adults.
- Critically listen to and engage with ideas from youth when asking for their input and feedback.
In an effort to further advance youth safety and resilience, a youth and caring adult summit is scheduled for Thursday, October 5 at 4:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church at 2932 King St. Led by Youth Ambassadors of the City’s recently launched Youth Ambassador Program, the workshop will focus on mental health and supporting a sense of safety among youth. It is open to all high school-aged youth and their caregivers to attend.
The City has also developed a Youth Resources webpage to help ensure that children, youth, and their families are aware of available resources. Among these is the Teen Text Line. Teens can text TEEN, SEX, DRUGS, or GANGS to 30644 to get answers to questions on health, relationships, pregnancy, drugs, alcohol, violence, and gangs within 24 hours, Monday through Friday, from trained City staff.
Read the full Youth Safety and Resilience Initiative report and learn more about the upcoming youth and caring adult summit.
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If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you, please email genevieve.babecki@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3961.