New Year, New Us: Let’s Come Together for Ohio’s Youth

New year, new you, right? That’s the saying.??

I think it’s safe to say we are living in a time of collective unease. Division runs deep, and trust in institutions feels more fragile than ever. At an annual time of renewal and hope, this year feels somehow different — sluggish, tired, weighed down by distrust.??

?In my world, the numbers tell a sobering story.??

• One in five children in Ohio lives in poverty.??
• Addiction continues to ravage families across the state, leaving youth to cope with the consequences of an epidemic they didn’t create.??
• The leading cause of death for children is not illness, but injury.??
• Nearly?40% of Ohio’s third graders?cannot read at grade level. When literacy gaps persist, doors to opportunity close.??
• The number of kids without trusted stable adults in their lives continues to astonish.??

The worst part? Political rhetoric and distraction keep us divided and prevent critical problem-solving. When we don’t have common metrics of success, very little gets accomplished — and we burn out. We risk isolating ourselves and reducing our capacity for positive impact when we stop trusting each other’s intentions. It’s easy to focus inward with so much external turmoil.??

I will admit having fallen into that mindset from time to time. But there is a way back. A way that can help us collectively reenergize and reset. A way to find each other again.?

Behind the statistics mentioned above are real kids — children who deserve to dream, to play, to learn, and to thrive. At the Boys & Girls Clubs, we see hope every day in the faces of our nation’s youth. They remind us of a powerful truth — our children can be the common ground we need to rebuild trust in each other and in our future.?

Our Clubs are proof of what happens when we show up for kids. When we collectively focus on providing safe spaces, mentors, and opportunities to develop skills, our children thrive — and so do our communities.?

Clubs have long been a meeting place, not just for kids, but for society at large. Here, parents, educators, business leaders, and community members come together to ensure every child has a shot at success. This shared commitment transcends political divides and personal differences because we all agree on one thing: Our children deserve better.??

And our kids are ready to meet us halfway. Given the chance, they will dream bigger, work harder, and show us what’s possible. Every day, we see young people overcoming the odds. A child who struggled to read now proudly finishes their first book. A teen who lost hope finds confidence through a mentor. A family impacted by addiction discovers a support system that refuses to give up on them. These moments remind us of the resilience of our youth and the power of a community that believes in them.?

Every child deserves access to a quality education, healthy relationships, and opportunities that empower them to break cycles of poverty and despair. Rebuilding trust begins here — in classrooms, in after-school programs, and in community spaces where kids feel seen, valued, and supported.?

This new year, let’s choose a new path. Let’s work together to make Ohio a place where every child has a fair shot at a bright future. Our kids are watching, and they need us to lead. When we come together, when we put our children first, we rebuild trust not only in our institutions, but in each other.?

So this year: New year, new us!?