BY LIBBY NOLEN
Los Alamos

I wrote a letter to the editor a few weeks ago talking about the struggles that teenagers face in Los Alamos. I did not expect the response that I got. I truly thought that it would be another one of those Op/Eds of a person complaining about something that no one listened to. However, I was proven wrong. Los Alamos, you listened. And I really appreciate that.

The response to my letter has been mostly positive, and to those people, I say thank you for sharing your past experiences with me. It really makes me feel seen to know that my generation is not the only one struggling with this issue. To those who messaged me personally and came up with ideas for change, thank you. It is amazing to know that there are good people in our community who care enough to respond to my call for help.

I can’t just leave it as one letter, I have to aspire for more. So, if you are a teenager, the parent of a teenager, the teacher of teenagers, or have any contact with teenagers, please urge them to come to SALA this from 4-5:30 p.m., Tuesday April 15 and have them share their own personal struggles with the lack of teenager centric activities in this town. (There is free food there, so tell your teenager that too). This event is put on thanks to the great people at JJAB and SALA who listened when a young person called out for help to her large community. I am forever grateful for the wonderful staff members who listened.

Starting April 25, JJAB and SALA are also putting on a teen movie night, every Friday night, so that we have something to do.

So, I will leave you with this. It may not seem like much, but this is change. This is change that will be helping the mental health of teenagers by making them feel like valued members of the community. This is change that can hopefully start a ripple effect and continue positively affecting young people for a long time, and I am happy that I get to be a part of it.

Thank you Los Alamos.