Atlanta teens joined community leaders, prevention partners, and city agencies at City Hall on April 29 for the Future of Youth Roundtable Expo & Youth Violence Panel Discussion, helping inform strategies to reduce youth violence and expand opportunity ahead of the summer months.
Hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Violence Reduction (MOVR) in partnership with HWPL Georgia, the event centered youth voices in conversations about safety, access to programs, and ways to strengthen connections between young people and trusted adults across Atlanta.
The gathering included youth-led roundtable discussions, a cross-sector panel focused on prevention and intervention strategies, and a community expo highlighting organizations that provide engagement opportunities for teens and families.
Supporting Atlanta’s Year of the Youth Strategy
The discussion reflects the City’s broader Year of the Youth commitment to making Atlanta the best place to raise a child by expanding access to safe spaces, mentorship, workforce pathways, and structured activities for young people year-round.
Across the city, recreation centers, At-Promise Centers, and partner organizations provide programming designed to keep teens connected to supportive environments through leadership development, enrichment opportunities, academic support, and community engagement.
These investments are part of Atlanta’s long-term approach to prevention — ensuring young people have consistent access to opportunities that support success in school, careers, and their neighborhoods.
Youth Voices Inform Prevention Priorities
Roundtable participants shared perspectives on safety, opportunity, and the importance of trusted relationships with mentors and community leaders. Discussions also explored how initiatives like Teen Takeover events can be paired with structured programming that supports positive engagement for young people.
The conversations helped identify ways community partners and city agencies can continue working together to strengthen prevention strategies ahead of the summer season.
Connecting Teens to Resources Across Atlanta
During the expo portion of the event, youth and families connected with organizations offering programs related to conflict resolution, leadership development, recreation, workforce readiness, and mentorship.
Many of these opportunities are part of the City’s broader Year of the Youth effort to expand safe spaces and engagement options for teens across Atlanta. Families can explore programs, events, and youth resources available citywide at ATLYearoftheYouth.com.
Together, these partnerships support Mayor Andre Dickens’ One Safe City strategy, which focuses on prevention, coordination, and expanded opportunities for young people across Atlanta’s neighborhoods.
As summer approaches, city leaders say continuing to center youth voices remains an important part of building safer communities across Atlanta.
