Center webinar gathers young residents who are creating opportunities for connection in their communities.

In our September 19th webinar on Fostering Belonging for Young Residents  – panelists from across the region discussed challenges facing young people who want to stay in or move to the Northern Forest and ways in which they are creating opportunities for them to thrive in their communities.

Adam Bailey, Adirondack Program Manager for the Northern Forest Center, facilitated the conversation, which is – part of our Building the New Forest Future series. Panelists from across the region joined him, including  Jess Grant, Conservation Associate at the, Adirondack Council, based in Elizabethtown, New York; Dan Rogan, Katahdin Region Coordinator, at the Outdoor Sport Institute based in Millinocket, Maine; Gillian Sewake, Director of Discover St. Johnsbury based in St. Johnsbury, Vermont; and Sam Trombley, Marketing Director for the Granite Outdoor Alliance based in Gorham, New Hampshire.

Adam shared data from the region showcasing the demographic changes that have occurred over the past two decades. The loss of young people in the roughly 25-45-year-old bracket has an impact on community vibrancy, civic institutions, workforce availability, population of school age children, and more.

Each of the panelists explained how their programming aims to build connections among young people in their communities through events, gathering spaces, and formal and informal support. They shared personal stories of how they set down roots in the Northern Forest, what brought them here, and why they want to stay. Their own stories about the challenges of finding housing when they first moved to the region drive home just how critical it is to create new housing options in the region.

The panelists discussed some of the major challenges facing young people who want to stay in or move to the region, including housing prices and availability, seasonal or temporary jobs, lack of “third spaces” for socializing, and maintaining networks across a large, rural geography. They all mentioned the vital importance of intergenerational connections, downtown vibrancy, and access to recreational and cultural amenities.

We recorded the conversation for you to watch or revisit, and hope you gain valuable insights from it. Please share it with others who may be interested in this topic.