Rural Communities Must Empower Youth

The future of rural America depends on attracting younger generations to make a life in smaller communities. That means listening to young people, responding to their interests, and sharing power.  Community leaders need strategies to keep its youth. First and foremost, is to understand their value as leaders. As Seemiller states, the youth wish to be engaged and make a difference in their communities.Leaders can set up opportunities for the youth to become active in the community and not just as token youth appointees. Mentoring and leadership programs are a good start. Youth appointments to boards and commissions will benefit communities. The digital skills of the youth can be utilized to tell the community’s story and expand local businesses via enhanced business websites and more effective social media marketing. Their creative thinking and problem solving can advance communities when given the opportunity.