HARRISBURG, Pa. — Harrisburg’s very first Parent Task Force met at city hall on Wednesday evening.
"We want to hear from the parents as a task force what we can do as a collaboration between the county, city and the school district to respond to those issues and concerns that those parents have about their youth," said Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams.
The meeting addressed growing community concerns about the city’s youth, noting the lack of support and the need for mental health resources.
Parents say it was a step in the right direction.
"The overall tone was positive, there was not only a lot of brainstorming but also action plans looking to be put in place, so I feel good about it," said Sherrod Baltimore, a parent who attended the meeting. "I think we can bring some positive change to the city."
The City of Harrisburg Parent Task Force formed on November 3, not long after a shooting injured 3 children.
Concerned by the rise in violence among youth, parents are growing louder.
"Sometimes people feel voiceless or unheard," said Baltimore. "I think giving people a platform where they can feel heard, not only voice their opinions but hear action plans as well, will bring about some change that is very important."
Parents and city leaders say the problems need to be addressed as a community.
"Everyone has trouble in their homes so it takes a collective and communal effort in order to mend these homes," said Baltimore. "Lean on each other so that we can accomplish what we need to."
"The one thing that I hope everyone who walked out of the [meeting] saw is that the city and the district got to be on the same page, we got to work together and we got to share resources," said Eric Turman, superintendent of the Harrisburg School District.
Harrisburg’s Parent Task Force meetings will be held every second Wednesday of each month, beginning January 10.