WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Young people in Houston County are looking to reclaim their power.
With an increase in gun violence and big elections ahead, the NAACP Youth Council is holding a county-wide "speak-out."
At 18-years-old, Ariyanna Crane is well aware of the worth she holds.
"The opinions I have actually do matter," Crane said.
This mindset — plus her desire to help others — is why she's studying criminal justice at Central Georgia Tech.
"I want a better community, I want a place that you feel safe in, that you want to live in, that you want to bring your family back to, that you want to grow up in," she shared.
Crane wants a place where the youth know their safety matters.
"There's a lot of gun violence out, when you're having fun and you least expect it, so I want everyone to know that they can have fun again without fearing," Crane said.
Plus, the youth want their peers to know that their mental health matters.
"Despite the images they see on social media or what they hear from those around them," Trinity Williams shared.
Williams is President of the Houston County NAACP Youth Council.
"Seeing that I matter, it's affected the way that I walk in the world," Williams said.
She wants to create a space for others to feel the same way.
"We deserve to be nurtured and cultivated in a way that we can go out in the world and make the world a better place than it was for us," Williams shared.
On Sunday, the youth council is giving young people in Houston County a voice to talk about social media addiction, gun violence and voter registration.
"So that they understand their rights and they understand this is a privilege given to them by the law," Williams said about voter registration.
Youth council advisor Rutha Jackson and her students hope to see the community jump in to learn more.
"Who would not want their young person to get factual information and be able to use that as they continue to grow," Jackson shared.
Parents and members of the public are encouraged to attend.
"We do enough talking the negative about them, so this is an opportunity for you to come support. To listen to the young people," Jackson shared.
They say it's an opportunity for youth and young adults to have a desire for better futures.
"Knowing that we're important now will help us later because we'll be more active later and we'll feel the need to do something and take action," Crane said.
Members from the youth council will lead discussions along with adult experts in their topics. The event is Sunday April 7 at 4:00 p.m. They will meet at Warner Robins CME Church on Othal H. Lakey Circle.