Community Mattering StoryWalk: The Importance of Youth Mattering
At A Glance
Healthy Communities of the Capital Area (HCCA), in collaboration with the Kennebec County Youth Advisory Board (KCYAB), wanted to help highlight the importance of youth mattering in Kennebec County while supporting safe, free, and accessible outdoor physical activity.
Challenge
According to the 2023 Maine Youth Integrated Health Survey, roughly 54% of students in Maine shared that they felt they mattered in their communities, leaving roughly 46% feeling like they do not. As a result of the 2023 MIYHS Data, the Kennebec County Youth Advisory Board chose to focus on youth mattering and mental health for their most recent projects.
Approach
HCCA and The KCYAB created the Community Mattering StoryWalk Competition to highlight the importance of mattering among youth and the community. We invited students in 6th to 8th grade and 9th to 12th grade to participate by crafting compelling stories that explore the significance of mattering in today's world. The winners (one from grades 6-8 and one from 9-12), would be selected by members of the Kennebec County Youth Advisory Board (KC YAB). The KC YAB has members from grades 7 through 11, with representation from the following schools: Erskine Academy, Cony Middle and High School, China Middle School, Gardiner Area High School, and Hall-Dale Middle and High School.
Results
The Community Mattering StoryWalk was initially installed at The Viles Arboretum trail in Augusta. The dates of this installation began on May 26th and the story was held until July 28th. This story is now available for all current StoryWalk and potential StoryWalk sites in Kennebec County. At this time, 2 additional sets of boards are being displayed in Kennebec County at the following locations: China Middle School and The Readfield Community Library/ This story will be put into the rotation of all StoryWalks housed at HCCA. In addition to the story being installed, HCCA staff, in collaboration with David Greenham (Viles Arboretum Executive Director), held a formal Ribbon Cutting at The Viles Arboretum on May 31st at 5:30 PM.
The featured story, A Twinkle Away, written by Ryleigh Jacob from China Middle School
Photo from The Viles Arboretum StoryWalk Trail