Queen Creek is a young town and this is characterized by everything from the date of its incorporation to the median age of the population. Young families flock to raise their kids in the town known for its small town values. This theme of 'youth' is the focus of the Rotary Club of Queen Creek, which itself only really began about a year ago and was officially chartered in July of this year.
The club has 33 founding members, made up of business owners, parents, and residents. Their aim is to bring together people who are ready to give their time and energy to serve their local community. Each Rotary chooses their overriding mission to tackle, something that requires special attention. So the members asked local authorities, the chamber of commerce, and others to identify the issue affecting Queen Creek that really needed additional focus. The answer was rather surprising and yet poignant, the issue of teen suicide.
The problem was slowly on the rise and grew worse during Covid. Rotary member, Brenda Brandhorst who is one of the founders and directors on the board, says that the problem was alarming enough that they committed whole-heartedly to their cause. Throw in the effects of social media and video games, and the need to educate parents and the town at large was apparent.
Brenda says this is all about boosting 'teen resiliency' and providing support. The Rotary has begun by hosting events like the screening of the documentary 'My Ascension' which tells the story of one survivor, Emma Benoit. Brenda says that it is through events like these they hope to 'help parents understand how radically different the lives of their children are.'
The Rotary also collaborates with organizations and experts like Katey McPherson, a youth mental health advocate. Katey does a lot of speaking engagements alerting parents and educators to the impact of technology and social media. Teens today face numerous challenges in every aspect of their lives. Katey wants to show parents, in particular, the steps they can take to protect and to stay connected to their kids in a world full of dangers and distractions.
Her collaboration with the Rotary Club was therefore a perfect and important one. Katey says, 'They have been so great and have done such good work, it is amazing they are only a year old.' By combining their efforts they are extending their reach to deliver a very important message. Their mission is one in which they hope to prevent and educate, but to also start conversations, remove stigmas, and strengthen relationships.
Katey says her work makes her grateful for kids because they are 'so cool, wildly misunderstood, and funny'. Brenda adds that survivors like Emma Benoit provide insight like no one else can. After the screening of her film, Emma remarked on the belief that gratitude and fear cannot co-exist. To practice gratitude means 'your world opens up to learning and giving and it enriches your life in a way you would never expect.'
Brenda and the rest of the members of the Rotary Club of Queen Creek are trying to give what resources and abilities they can in order to safely guide teens towards their future. We can all appreciate those difficult teenage years, even without the added pressures of a modern world. The Rotary Club are on a mission to give teens and their families the knowledge and the hope they need.
Rotary Club of Queen Creek
Want to learn more? You can help, volunteer, attend an event hosted by the Rotary Club, or if you simply have questions. Go to www.rotaryclubqc.com for the latest about their events and contact information. Their instagram handle is rotaryclubofqueencreek and you can email them at info@rotaryclubq.com.