YouthUp, Inc. will hold this month’s “Real Talk for Stronger Families” parent/teen gathering on Tuesday, August 20 at Theron Ussery Community Center (815 North Macon Park Drive) park at 6:00 p.m. Partnering with Macon Violence Prevention and the Recreation Department, YouthUp is holding the monthly sessions to foster more open communication for youth and their parents and grandparents to find solutions to issues teens may be facing.

“We want everyone to have a seat at the table and to have a voice in improving our lives and our futures,” says YouthUp Executive Director Amanda Smith.

“It’s because of the direct outreach to families throughout our community by amazing nonprofit organizations that we had a 43% decline in our homicide rate,” says Mayor Lester Miller. “I want to thank YouthUp and all our MVP partners for working daily to create stronger families and better futures for our children.”

The sessions are open to the public, but space is limited, and registration is required. To secure your seat at the table, email [email protected] or call 478-733-8602.

During the session, there will be food provided before the facilitators walk the guests through icebreaker activities, discussing the topic for the evening, asking about challenges the families face, and working together to find solutions.

“This month’s session is about the dangers of teen cyber addiction,” said Smith. “Aside from the school day hours, teens almost always have a cell phone in hand. Let’s talk about how this constant connection to the Internet puts our youth at-risk.”

During the gatherings, teens will often join YouthUp’s Youth Leadership Council, where they will also plan and implement fundraisers, youth rallies, and community cleanups. The Council is an elite group of teens who want to make a positive impact in Macon-Bibb through community engagement focused on nonviolent resolution to conflict. They also attend other community events to encourage each other.

"We are deeply grateful for our partnerships with MVP, Community Foundation of Central Georgia, the Peyton Anderson Foundation, Chick-fil-A, and the Parks and Recreation Department," said Smith. "It STILL takes a village."

YouthUp received a $20,000 grant from the Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) Initiative. The organization completed its first year in the program and is applying for funding from additional sources to continue these important conversations.

Though MVP is still fairly new in its implementation, it has already helped the community realize significant results in becoming safer. From 2022 to 2023, Macon-Bibb had a nearly 43% reduction in homicides, from 70 to 40. The reduction in homicides for children (those 18 years old and younger) went from 15 in 2022 to 5 in 2023 – which is a 66.7% reduction in just one year. 

“I want to commend all of our partners for their dedication in seeing this work through for years to come, as this will take long-term solutions to continue making our community safer,” adds Mayor Miller. “Whether it’s granting community organizations the funds they need or providing free mental health services or removing blight from our neighborhoods or increasing law enforcement technology…we are doing everything we can to improve public safety.”

While other cities in Georgia and around the country also had a decline in their homicide rate, Macon-Bibb County’s 43% far surpassed them. Atlanta had a 21% decline, Columbus a 12%, Savannah a 13%, Mobile, Alabama a 21%, and Jackson, Mississippi a 14%.