Partners and interested members of the faith community attended a kickoff meeting in January at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Brattleboro. They heard a presentation about the economic and social environment for young people in the county, and took part in a facilitated discussion about the resources that were both present for young people and missing for them. The group helped generate ideas about kinds of assistance that seemed to be needed, and where they thought the faith community could potentially step in, either to bolster services already being provided, or to create new services.

The intially thinking of the group was this:

Mentoring
Recruit volunteer mentors
Develop mentoring programs for parents
Offer host homes for youth in crisis who need a short-term place to stay

Support/substance abuse
Al Anon for teens and parents
Alateen
Educational group for youth with substance abuse issues

Basic needs
Provide fuel support for both cars and houses
Food pantry/weekend-summer hunger project
Crisis assistance for families

Meaningful engagement
Sponsor youth weekend activities
Sponsor or support youth community groups
Provide space for youth clubs to meet
Provide after-school activities

Youth voice
Involve youth in planning
Appoint youth to boards and committees within community

Attitude and action
Provide joint youth-adult volunteer opportunities
Be open to shift in attitude toward young people
Encourage congregations to engage with youth in supportive ways
Seek out "hidden youth"

Deeper thinking/collaboration
Understand youth needs
Build bridges
Local brainstorming groups
Community calendar with all human services activities, classes and events