Fayetteville leaders and teens came together for the first-ever Shaping the Future Youth Symposium on Friday, Aug. 22 at the Way2Real Community Center to discuss youth facing rising challenges in mental health, workforce readiness and safety. 

Hosted by the city’s Economic and Community Development Department and the Office of Community Safety, this event was designed for nonprofits that serve youth to address urgent challenges facing Fayetteville’s young people. 

“This symposium showed what happens when we bring every voice to the table - nonprofits, mentors, city leaders and youth,” said Chris Cauley, Director of Economic and Community Development in a press release. “Conversations like these directly shape the city’s priorities for upcoming grant funding cycles.” 

Through a panel discussion and a collaborative roundtable session, participants discussed youth issues, encouraged collective problem solving among mentoring organizations and established a foundation for long-term impact through shared action and citywide partnerships. 

Office of Community Safety Director John Jones added, “Youth are not just participants in this process, they are leaders. We’re taking their recommendations seriously and working collaboratively to turn their vision into real opportunities for Fayetteville’s future.”

Panelist included community and youth leaders:  

• Dr. Tony Haire, Director of Way2Real Community Center  
• Matt Dempster, Juvenile Court Counselor Supervisor  
• Kevin Brooks, Founder & Director of The Group Theory, Inc.  
• Dr. Melody Chalmers McClain, Associate Superintendent, Cumberland County School  
• Rylen Mack, Chair of the Fayetteville-Cumberland Youth Council  
• Sterling Kelly, Member of the Fayetteville-Cumberland Youth Council  
• Ryleigh Woods, Member of the Fayetteville-Cumberland Youth Council  
• Roderick Smith, Director of the Male Matriculation Institute at Fayetteville State University  

Please visit FayettevilleNC.gov for more information about the Office of Community Safety or the Fayetteville Economic and Community Development programs.