MYC’s Trip to Washington D.C.

The Monadnock Youth Coalition recently returned from their annual trip to Washington D.C. for CADCA’s National Leadership Forum. MYC flew down from Manchester Airport on Sunday, January 28th with five of their youth members from Keene and Monadnock High School. After checking into the hotel, staff took the teens out for dinner and to walk around National Plaza.

On Monday, everyone went to check out the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum and the Smithsonian Natural History Museum. Being in the country’s capitol also gave them a chance to see the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. That night, the teens attended a meet and greet with other youth coalitions.

Tuesday is when the trainings began at the Gaylord National Resort. There were three training sessions throughout the day on topics that covered substance abuse and mental health, as well as learning about the latest science and trends on substance and mental health issues. The day ended on a high note when staff brought the youth members to ride the Capital Wheel at National Harbor.

There was one last training session on Wednesday, but plenty more to do at the forum. The day began with a Coalition Ideas Fair, then youth were able to speak to staff members of the various state representatives – Maggie Hassan, Jeanne Shaheen, Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas. That night, the teens were able to get dressed up and have fun at the decades-themed dance that the forum hosted.

Thursday was the flight back to New Hampshire. Youth members expressed learning so much and were grateful for a chance to have their voices be heard. MYC staff are appreciative that this trip primarily for the youth members is able to be free of cost to these teens, who have shown that they really want to make a difference in their schools and community.