Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Butler County Concerned Citizens recently organized a youth summit aimed at addressing the needs of young men in the community. The group, with a mission to enhance the quality of life and opportunities for Butler County residents, particularly the youth, collaborated with local leaders and stakeholders to make the event a success.

Robert Blankenship, a member of the group, expressed satisfaction with the summit’s outcome and hopes to make it a regular occurrence. 

“We’ve had some issues going on in the community with our young males,” Blankenship said. “A lot of the time, we look at the kids and we make assumptions. We don’t get the in-depth info on why they are doing the things they do.”

During the summit, participants engaged in discussions about the lives, futures, and career aspirations of young men in the area. Blankenship said the overwhelming response from the group highlighted a lack of activities and opportunities for the youth. 

“We just talked to them,” Blankenship said. “And they spoke up.”

Kenneth Crum, another member of the Concerned Citizens, chaired the event, working alongside attorney Brandon Price Crum, Coach Harry Crum, and local teacher Jeremy Crum. Reflecting on the summit’s impact, Kenneth Crum emphasized its purpose. 

“It was a great success,” Crum said. “It served its purpose, which was to show the youth that there are men in Greenville that love them and will do what it takes to help them accomplish their goals and be successful.”

The summit exemplified the group’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment for the youth of Butler County. By engaging with local leaders and community members, the Concerned Citizens are working towards their mission of empowering the next generation to become responsible and successful adults.