Wedgwood’s State of the Child – Part 1

Hundreds of community members joined us for Wedgwood’s State of the Child at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park to learn from our engaging panel of experts and local teens about the toughest challenges kids are facing and how the community can help, support, and encourage youth.

Our panel of community experts included:

• Judge Kathleen Feeney (17th Circuit Family Court)
• Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young (Kent County Sheriff)
• Michael Zoerhoff (Kentwood Public Schools Superintendent)
• Anthony Muller (Wedgwood Christian Services Director of Clinical & Business Development)
• Nikeidra DeBarge (Coordinator of Wedgwood’s Manasseh Project)

The local teens that candidly shared what they see in their schools included:

• Emily (Sophomore)
• Jackson (Junior)
• Kileya (Junior)
• Sierra (Junior)

This year’s event focused on the issues of mental health, substance use, relationships and social media, and what kids want parents to know. The discussion on each topic began with a video of our panel of local teens sharing their thoughts on the issue, and then our panelist would respond to the teens’ take, and discuss how they see these issues play out in their respective fields.

“Kids are fighting things we can’t imagine on a daily basis, all day long,” Nikeidra DeBarge remarked. “They need someone to pour into them, encourage them, know them, and check in with them. Because when positive relationships are lacking, that’s when kids tend to turn to unhealthy relationships and habits.”

During time for questions, attendees asked the panelist about what, they, as community members could do to support kids, manage different behaviors, and to prevent kids from being exposed to negative influences. The answers to each of their questions could be summarized as: Listen to kids, know what they are up to, how they are doing, and don’t be afraid to have conversations with them about the tough stuff.

“We know if kids feel connected to others, and as they have somewhere they belong, they are more likely to succeed,” said Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff.

We will be talking in-depth about each topic covered at Wedgwood’s State of the Child in upcoming blog posts. This is part one of a 5 part series, keep a lookout for new posts soon!

Thank you to our generous event sponsors: