YOUTH AND CARING ADULT SUMMIT 

December 7, 2023: Over 60 youth and adults attended the City of Alexandria's inaugural Youth and Caring Adult Summit on November 9 at First Baptist Church. This event was planned and facilitated by the Alexandria Youth Ambassadors (AYA), a group of high school students that support community engagement efforts focused on anti-violence, trauma healing, and social emotional learning. 

Attendees heard from youth about their lived experiences with mental health conditions illness. They discussed mental health awareness, how to promote youth safety and resilience, and strategies to support youth leaders in impacting change in our community. 

The Alexandria Youth Ambassadors is a year-round educational employment program for high school students residing in the City of Alexandria. The students will support community engagement efforts focused on anti-violence, trauma healing, and social emotional learning.  

AYA program’s first cohort of ten youth were hired in June 2023. Together, they planned and implemented the youth summit and will use the information gathered to advocate for their peers. The goal of the AYA team is to decrease violence and increase youth resilience in Alexandria. These youth leaders will use their lived experiences to impact change in their community.  

Learn more about the City’s Youth Safety and Resilience Initiative.   

For additional youth resources, see the Youth Resources webpage- developed by the City to help ensure that children, youth, and their families are aware of available resources. 

Also available is a Teen Text Line where youth can text TEEN, SEX, DRUGS, or GANGS to 571.640.2898 to get answers to questions on health, relationships, pregnancy, drugs, alcohol, violence, and gangs within 24 hours, Monday through Friday, from trained City staff.