Forum takes on youth well-being in Sisters

Youths in today’s society face challenges and have opportunities that were barely conceivable to even their parents’ generation. The pervasiveness of technology opens a world of connection, while simultaneously — and counter-intuitively — creating a sense of isolation. Sisters is widely considered a great community for kids — but youth here are subject to challenging national and international trends.

The next in Citizens For Community’s (C4C) biannual series of community forums will focus on youth well-being in Sisters Country. According to C4C Executive Director Kellen Klein, the forum — entitled “Are The Kids Alright?” — will explore “what’s working and what isn’t for local youth.”

Nationwide, young people are faced with challenges to their mental health, navigating social media, and school safety, among other issues. The forum will explore “how these systemic challenges are affecting our local kids,” Kline said.

Kline noted that many people consider Sisters a great place to raise kids, and there are a lot of things about the community that support their well-being. The forum is not intended to be a litany of negatives.

“We want this to be a holistic look,” he said. “We know that the youth experience in Sisters Country is not singular.”

Many young people are thriving; some are not, Klein said. The same is true for parents — and the well-being of parents directly impacts the well-being of youth.

The event will be held at the new Sisters Elementary School. The choice of venue seemed appropriate to the theme — and anticipates substantial attendance to explore an issue that is at the forefront of many minds in the community.

The event is set for Sunday, November 17, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The timing is designed to be as family-friendly as possible, and on-site childcare will be available through Starshine LLC (contact C4C if interested in child care for infant-three years old).

A panel will kick off the discussion, which is intended to also solicit input from the audience about community needs and strategies to promote well-being. The panel currently includes Ami Formica of Well Wired, a Bend-based tech advocacy group; Lindsey Overstreet of Mosaic Health’s school -based clinic in Sisters; and Faith Keeton, Sisters High School senior class vice president.

“We thought it was very important to have youth voices on the panel, and hopefully in the audience as well,” Klein said.

“Are The Kids Alright” is co-sponsored by The Nugget and supported by St. Charles Health System. The forum will be live-streamed and recorded, and light refreshments will be available.