Do you shake your head at times as I do at the behavior of humanity, our youth, our elders, at what you read in the newspaper, watch on TV, hear on the radio, or read on social media? I confess, at times I get downright disheartened. I find myself asking, “Is there hope?”
But each time I experience, read, or hear something negative my heart becomes unencumbered and my soul is lifted by words and actions – both small and large – I observe or read about almost daily that tilt the scale in favor of the positive.
I ask myself, “Is there really more negative happening around us, or is it just that we hear more about it?”
I believe it is more of the latter than the former.
Vermont’s prevention coalitions meet with Representative Peter Welch on February 6, 2019
Leland & Gray 11th-grade student and West River Valley Thrives Advisory Board member, Conall Halvey, meets with Representative Peter Welch.
From February 4-7, I attended the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America National Leadership Forum in partnership with our youth advisory board member and Leland & Gray 11th grade student leader, Conall Halvey. In attendance at this national forum were over 3,000 youth and adults representing 36 states, US territories, and international organizations and persons from around the world. Vermont sent 10 organizations, which consisted of 12 youth and 19 adults. Conall Halvey shined among our delegation, demonstrating leadership, thoughtfulness, a true interest to learn and share, support for his peers, and an incredible ability to engage with youth from across the country and adults of all ages. On Wednesday, February 6, Conall made two presentations as a representative of our delegation to Representative Peter Welch, Senator Patrick Leahy, and the staff of Bernie Sanders. I encourage you to watch his full presentation to Senator Leahy here.
How about some more inspiration from youth leaders who presented at CADCA’s Leadership Forum? Watch here.
As Curtis Mark – a youth trainer for CADCA – stated so eloquently, “To change and transform a community, we must value what’s within that community. We must see and acknowledge the potential that our communities have. And we must engage, develop, and inspire all of the youth that are in our communities. There’s a thing that goes as follows: ‘Youth are the leaders of tomorrow.’ But here at CADCA Youth Leadership, we believe that youth are the leaders of today!”
All the negative news and words I hear will never make me feel humanity’s glass is half empty – it is HALF FULL and growing. Please spend a few moments to watch these inspiring and uplifting short videos and join me in this same, solid belief. There is no need to set the lofty goal of saving the world on our own. All we need to do is our part to remain positive, supportive, and engaged members of our communities and believers in the power of our youth… today.
As Margaret Mead so eloquently said in a few words, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
In Partnership,
Steve Tavella / Director