By Kaela Lowry, youth leader
You can find endless videos online of people asking their followers when “their village” will turn up.
Well, people aren’t waiting for their village anymore, they’re becoming it.
It’s happening in small ways, from food drives on Facebook for local families, through to community initiatives and grassroots leadership.
More and more, individuals are stepping up, supporting one another, and creating the kind of community they once hoped someone else would build for them.
Despite the modern challenges of disconnection and isolation, Logan’s youth are not backing down to the challenge of showing up for their community.
One brilliant club that are getting amongst it (and one I highly recommend to anyone aged 14-24), would have to be the Logan Youth Action Group.
These passionate, informed, and courageous young leaders are taking charge of their futures and shaping the future of our city.
I have no doubt that in the coming years, we’ll see some of them sitting as Councillors, MPs, and changemakers.
When people feel part of something bigger than themselves, they gain a sense of purpose, which in turn helps prevent harm.
Strengthening our sense of community is one of the most powerful ways to reduce youth crime and other harmful behaviours.
When young people are included, supported, and surrounded by positive influences, they’re less likely to fall into cycles of disconnection.
We must foster that sense of belonging early and often, because prevention starts with people feeling commitment to one another.
So how can we support them?
By choosing to build and model community. By checking in on neighbours, showing up to local events, supporting local initiatives, and prioritising one another.
Logan is strongest when we act with kindness, purpose, and unity. We spend so much time waiting for the village to appear, when the truth is that the village is us.
It’s every kind gesture, every mentorship offered, every bit of litter picked up at the park, every meal cooked for someone doing it tough, every afternoon freely given, and every good choice modelled to those looking to us for guidance.
Logan’s future is bright.
We don’t need to wait for leadership or our sense of belonging to arrive, we have the power to create it. The next generation is already watching and learning.
Let’s show them what it means to lead with compassion, courage, and community.
Let’s put a stop to the idea of waiting and continue being the village Logan deserves.
