Community Youth Forum Sponsored by 4-H*

Swain County youth, voice your opinion!

"In Jonesboro, Georgia, Illai Kenney made her first public speech at the age of nine, founded Georgia Kids Against Pollution when she was 12, and was internationally recognized for her environmental and social activism long before she turned 18."

What are the youth in our community doing? What do they want to be doing? What do Swain County youth need to become the leaders of tomorrow? What are teens in our community thinking about? What inspires them? What can our community do to help?

Swain County 4-H is sponsoring a Youth Forum to find out! This forum is part of a series being held around the Southeast in conjunction with the Southern Growth Policies Board. The Swain County Youth Forum will be held Tuesday, February 5th from 6:30 - 8:30pm at the Middle School Library. Youth ages 12 - 18 are invited to participate in this discussion that will be facilitated by members of the Cherokee Youth Council. The information gathered at this Forum will be included in the Southern Growth Policies Board annual Report on the Future of the South.

"In Mabelvale, Arkansas, 16 year old Chauncey Holloman started her own greeting card company when she had trouble finding the right birthday card for a friend. Within three years she had landed contracts with national chains - and launched a clothing line."

Youth have much to offer but there are issues that need to be addressed. Information from the Southern Growth Policies Board highlights the following trends:

• Many communities, especially those in rural areas, are losing their "best and brightest." Between 2000 and 2005, more than one in four 25 to 29 year olds with a professional or graduate degree and more than one in six of those with at least a bachelor's degree left the South.

• As a whole, Southern youth are not as engaged in community and civic life as youth in other regions of the country. Nine of 13 Southern states fall below the national average in youth volunteer rates and young adult voting rates.

So, let's see what we can do right here in Swain County. First we need to hear from young people. This should not be a problem that adults plan and tackle. We should assist. We should support. We can help youth learn the skills they need to be productive citizens and lead the
rest of us into the future.

Please spread the word to the young people you know. Talk with your own family members, mention it at church, spread the word to the friends of your children, and suggest it to the people you work with. Encourage young people to attend the Forum on February 5th. Please contact me at 488-3848 or nira_franklin@ncsu.edu if you would like additional information or if you would like a flyer or two to post.

"As we look for ways to ensure future prosperity, we need to think of youth development efforts as economic development," emphasizes the Tennessee Commission on children and Youth. We need to seek out, encourage and inspire the talents and passion of the young people in Swain County. Join us at the Youth Forum. Youth, come voice your opinion. Adults, help spread the word.

--
Nira C. Franklin
Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
Swain County
NC Cooperative Extension
(828) 488-3848
http://swain.ces.ncsu.edu