Listening Sessions
Dear Editor: The HOPE Coalition, in partnership with Youth Advocates of Sitka, has created an opportunity for Sitka youths to be empowered and have their voices heard. If you are a youth who is looking for a way to make a positive impact on Sitka, come and make a difference in your community through a series of listening sessions. The focus of these sessions is to hear from you.
Sitka’s youths can speak about their experiences, share thoughts, give advice, and provide feedback in regards to substance misuse and safety in Sitka. These sessions invite anyone ages 12-18 and are designed to gather information from a series of different perspectives; including young of all genders, indigenous youths, LGBTQ2+ youths, and others.
One aspect of Prevention is data collection. That data then drives change. Change is created by informing programming throughout communities. This happens through initiative — at our counseling centers, hospitals, in our schools and homes, through macro systems, and through person to person interactions to help improve the environment, living conditions, safety, and quality of life for everyone. Sitka Counseling & Prevention has gathered a lot of quantitative data within our community already, through our annual Youth Substance Use Survey. Now it is time to collect qualitative data that can help us see the full picture of the needs Sitka has.
Youths of Sitka, the time to be heard is now. Although our first listening session was July 23, there is still an opportunity to use your voice in other listening sessions. The next scheduled session is Aug. 6 at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Cloud (food provided). Our Aug. 6 session is specifically for young women, and female-identifying youths, to come and speak to your experiences. However, we will be doing more. Going forward, Sitka Counseling & Prevention, and Youth Advocates of Sitka, would like to schedule other listening sessions. One geared towards young men in our community, one for our Indigenous youths, and at least one more for the general population of Sitkan youths. Please come and share your voice with us.
Anastasia & Stephanie
with the HOPE Coalition, Sitka
Sitka Visitor
Dear Editor: Just a note to thank you for allowing us to visit and experience your beautiful ‘‘Sitka.’’ What an easy town to visit. Your bus into town was easy. No one begged for a tip. We loved walking around. The forest was beautiful. The eagles were amazing. We hope to visit again. Our ship was Brilliance of the Sea. Many thanks.
Karen Christopher,
White Marsh, Maryland
