On Monday, August 3, the Alleghany-Covington Democratic Committee of Virginia held its monthly meeting at the C&O Depot in Covington, with a special focus on listening to younger voices in our community.

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The meeting featured a Youth Panel with invited young people who shared their concerns, priorities, and ideas about civic engagement. The discussion was highly enlightening and gave ACDCVA members an opportunity to listen, learn, and consider how we can better connect with younger voters, volunteers, and community members.

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Several important themes emerged during the conversation. Panelists spoke about the need for more meaningful opportunities to intern, volunteer, and gain real-world experience. They also emphasized how important it is for young adults to be heard, respected, and taken seriously when they offer their perspectives.

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The panel also discussed how young adults receive and evaluate information. Most of the news they encounter comes through social media, but the panelists made clear that they are thoughtful and discerning about separating fact from fiction. Their comments challenged assumptions and reminded us that younger people are often very aware of misinformation, bias, and the need to look carefully at what they see and share online.

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For ACDCVA, the Youth Panel was an important step toward building stronger relationships across generations. If we want young citizens to become more involved in local civic life, we must create spaces where their voices matter, where their ideas are taken seriously, and where their participation leads to meaningful opportunities.

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We are grateful to the panelists for sharing their time and perspectives, and to everyone who attended and participated in the conversation. ACDCVA looks forward to continuing this dialogue and finding practical ways to support, encourage, and involve young adults who want to make a difference in our community.