I know I already wrote today. But, I can't go withput sharing about tonight. I went to the 4th Drug Roundtable discussion. After the 3rd one, which was the first I had gone to because it was the first I had heard about, I started thinking about what eventually led to my new job at the Teen Center. So, I already knew they have a great impact for the community since it led to the Teen Center being reopened!
Tonight was for the teens. They were invited to come and talk about what they feel, what they think needs to be done, and what they think can be done about it.
The timing was probably key. 2 weeks ago, a senior died of a heroin overdose. That was a hard slap in the face to alot of teens that this problem is real. Even moreso, it was a hard slap in the face to the adults who may not be around it everyday and would not otherwise know what the teens are facing. But, tonight, City Hall was packed with over 160 people, mainly teens and also concerned adults, who just wanted to talk and listen. It's sad that something traumatic has to happen for people to open their eyes, but the thing I keep thinking is this. Here are so many teens hurting and their way of dealing with their grief is to make a difference! Tonight, teens stood up and talked about how they need to start talking and joining together to be a positive force. They don't want to be afraid to talk and they don't want to be alone with nothing to turn to but drugs. What I saw tonight was hope. Of course, there were those who are losing hope. But, there were so many more who have hope and I believe they can encourage those who don't.
Someone I didn't know leaned over to me in the beginning of the meeting and said something about satan loving all of this. But I disagree because tonight these teens were saying they don't want him here! Tonight they were saying there is more to life than drugs and bad choices. They have faith and hope. And, where there is faith and hope, God is there!
Blessings,
Jennifer
Tonight was for the teens. They were invited to come and talk about what they feel, what they think needs to be done, and what they think can be done about it.
The timing was probably key. 2 weeks ago, a senior died of a heroin overdose. That was a hard slap in the face to alot of teens that this problem is real. Even moreso, it was a hard slap in the face to the adults who may not be around it everyday and would not otherwise know what the teens are facing. But, tonight, City Hall was packed with over 160 people, mainly teens and also concerned adults, who just wanted to talk and listen. It's sad that something traumatic has to happen for people to open their eyes, but the thing I keep thinking is this. Here are so many teens hurting and their way of dealing with their grief is to make a difference! Tonight, teens stood up and talked about how they need to start talking and joining together to be a positive force. They don't want to be afraid to talk and they don't want to be alone with nothing to turn to but drugs. What I saw tonight was hope. Of course, there were those who are losing hope. But, there were so many more who have hope and I believe they can encourage those who don't.
Someone I didn't know leaned over to me in the beginning of the meeting and said something about satan loving all of this. But I disagree because tonight these teens were saying they don't want him here! Tonight they were saying there is more to life than drugs and bad choices. They have faith and hope. And, where there is faith and hope, God is there!
Blessings,
Jennifer
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