Conversations With the Future

I hope people can stop violence, drugs and war. I think that they should stop all that because it's not good for the world, the environment, or the people. There should be peace and people should care for each other. -Kiara, 13 years old In the pages of this book you will read the stories of young people, 6 years old?19 years old, living in Lynn, Massachusetts. They have an inspiring, innate sense of hope, faith and optimism. They open up about basic rights, diversity, culture, ethnicity and heritage. They share future dreams, internal strengths and secret wishes for themselves and the world. They explore fear, war, racism, violence, and stereotypes of all kinds. In a creative and unscripted way, each young person delves into who they are, and what they think about everything! These amazing young people provide a glimpse into the complexities of life, while holding on to the possibility that things in Lynn, in this country, and in this world, could be better for everyone. The young people living alongside of us have a tremendous amount to say. If we want to know what will happen tomorrow, we must listen to the voices of today.

Carrie A. Stack, M.Ed., works on a range of community based prevention programs in Lynn, as well provides local/statewide training on how to implement strength-based youth development programs.