Grassroots community group focuses on youth

Project Youth Homer will hold their first event on Feb. 6

Homer cares about its young people, a new grassroots organization proclaims — and to show it, they’ll be holding their first ever event on Thursday, Feb. 6, open to teens, tweens and their parents and caregivers.

Planet Youth Homer is a new local group of people and agencies working to provide parents and caregivers of teenagers and tweens with the resources and information to help Homer-area youth live their best lives, a Jan. 24 press release from Anna Meredith, youth project manager with the Southern Kenai Peninsula Resilience Coalition, states.

Planet Youth Homer follows the Icelandic Prevention Model, reportedly proven to “create a safe and supportive environment where youth have healthy experiences and get the care they need as they grow.”

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

In the release, Meredith references national data that shows a “reported decrease” in adolescent mental health and well-being, and an increase in suicidal thoughts.

“Learning about how our local youth are reporting will help guide the community-driven process and strategies of Planet Youth Homer,” she wrote.

Thursday’s event, taking place at Kachemak Bay Campus from 5:30-7:30 p.m., will include three community presentations, a Q&A discussion with youth-serving professionals and connection to resources. Dinner and free child care will also be provided during the event.

Of the three planned presentations, one will provide information on the Planet Youth Homer project, including its history and goals. Information on a new “Where Can I Homer” project, which intends to help connect youth to “local offerings,” will also be shared by youth connectors. Certified local instructors will also give a teen mental health first aid presentation.

Second, Kari Dendurent, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District assistant superintendent, will present local data from the Hanover School Climate and Mindset Survey conducted in the 2023-2024 school year. According to the release, this presentation will look at the importance of focusing on the social-emotional well-being and mental health of students and staff to “better foster feelings of safety, connection, engagement and, ultimately, success.”

Third, Homer Police Department Lt. Ryan Browning will facilitate a discussion on teen online safety and data.

Thursday’s event is supported by Kenai Peninsula College, South Peninsula Hospital, the Homer Foundation, and the South Kenai Peninsula Resilience Coalition, part of the MAPP Health Coalition.

For questions, additional information or to get involved, contact youth project manager Anna Meredith at anna@elemmentalconsulting.solutions.