City of Alexandria Youth Safety and Resilience Efforts

For Immediate Release: September 1, 2022

The City of Alexandria is advancing its vision of having children and youth fully thrive in the community through the recent update of its 2025 Children and Youth Community Plan (CYCP), and engaging outreach efforts this fall and beyond. The City is actively connecting young people to caring adults, programs, and activities to ensure they are physically safe and healthy, academically successful, career ready, and have positive experiences.

The City has established initiatives that support youth engagement opportunities, several of which are included in the 2022 City Council Priorities to Support Youth and Families during Out-of-School Time Hours. Upcoming opportunities include:

• A free Teen Block Party for youth ages 12-17 on September 10 at Patrick Henry Recreation Center. There will be free DASH bus transportation to and from the event. This event follows a series of “Teen Pool Parties” hosted by RPCA this summer.
• A Fall 2022 "Youth Speak Up" event series hosted by ACAP, SAPCA, and the Children, Youth and Families Collaborative Commission.
• A Civics Academy for Youth this Fall, in partnership with U.S. Government and Civics teachers of ACPS. The Academy is seven weeks long and introduces a range of City departments to students. This program , which has the potential to reach hundreds of students throughout the year, will also be an opportunity to hear feedback from youth on what support they need.
• Pilot of a “Resource Corner” at George Washington Middle School, exploring the use of dedicated space at the school where middle school students can meet with service providers on a rotational basis to learn about the resources available to them. If successful, this model could be expanded into other schools and recreation centers after school.

The CYCP establishes a roadmap for improving youth outcomes through community-wide coordination and delivery of valuable services. These services include strategies for mitigating the harmful effects of traumatic events such as abuse and neglect, parental mental illness, substance use, divorce, incarceration, and intimate partner violence – also known as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) – and for building the 40 Developmental Assets which are positive supports, relationships, and strengths that all young people need to succeed.

Over the last decade, violence and other risk-taking behaviors have decreased among youth in the City of Alexandria, as indicated by the Search Institute’s Attitude and Behaviors Survey. These reduced behaviors include anti-social conduct, alcohol and tobacco use, and physical threats.

In June, the City Council called on City staff to, among other objectives: increase access to support for youth mental health; further coordinate across sectors to identify new challenges, needs and opportunities; take a whole of community approach to engage the public and private sector’s partnership and participation in supporting city youth.

While progress has been made, many youth have faced trauma and other major challenges. In order to respond effectively, City staff have been convening with young people to gather feedback on their concerns, their awareness and satisfaction with current resources, and the best ways to reach young people and their families. Youth are also being recruited to assist in further engagement across Alexandria.

Additionally, a Youth Services Resource webpage was developed to ensure that all children, youth, and their families are aware of the resources that are available.  Among these resources is the Teen Text Line, which provides support and resources to youth. Teens can text TEEN or SEX or DRUGS or GANGS to 30644 to get answers to questions on health, relationships, pregnancy, drugs, alcohol, violence, and gangs. Trained City staff will respond within 24 hours.

Non-profits that serve youth will be convened on September 13 to provide input and support additional outreach and engagement with youth and their families. The City anticipates that the data gathered through these efforts will be shared in the fall with parents and the community, with further engagement opportunities and recommendations to follow.

For inquiries from the news media only, contact the Office of Communications and Public Information at newsroom@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact noraine.buttar@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3436. Virginia Relay 711.

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This news release is available at alexandriava.gov/go/3932