The Ohio County Partners in Prevention Team is set to host a Candidate Forum with those running for Wheeling Mayor and Wheeling City Council. The focus is on child and family issues and will be held April 10th, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at West Virginia Northern Community College.
The Forum aims to spotlight policies that uplift and support children and families, while also emphasizing proactive measures to prevent child abuse within our community. Youth and community members play a crucial role in shaping the future. Wheeling Park Senior and first time voter Lily Osborne stated, “It is incredibly important that my generation become involved in the political process so we don’t vote blindly for candidates who don’t represent our best interest. We should take the time to learn about the candidates running for local offices so we understand their vision for the future of Wheeling. This forum is a great way for young, first time voters to participate and help them in determining who to vote for in May.”
The Forum will offer a unique platform for attendees to engage in small group discussions with a diverse cross-section of participants, including:
- Service Providers
- Young, first-time voters
- Candidates for Wheeling City Council
- Candidates for Wheeling Mayor
Claudia Raymer, Ohio County Partners in Prevention Team Leader and Executive Director for the Ohio County Family Resource Network explained, “This inclusive setting is designed to foster meaningful conversations, enabling community members, candidates, and youth to collaboratively explore ideas, share perspectives, and learn from professionals with decades of experience working with families. Candidates and elected officials can and should connect with members of the community in person and share ideas to tackle our problems together.”
Community members are not just spectators but active contributors in shaping the policies and initiatives that impact them directly. Their insights, experiences, and voices are invaluable in driving meaningful change and fostering a community that prioritizes the welfare and future of all its members. “The Sisters of St. Joseph have a guiding principal to give our resources to work for systemic change in collaboration with others. Through the partnership with TEAM for WV’s Children, the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation is able to see those values realized through the grassroots advocacy efforts of statewide Partners in Prevention teams to educate and raise the awareness of local and state leaders to bring about a shift in policies and practices to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect. We are grateful for the opportunity to work closely with the Ohio County Partners in Prevention Team on the April 10th Candidate Forum and are eager to share the stories of advocacy from PIP teams across WV,” stated Beth Collins, Executive Director for the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation.
To encourage participation, dinner and childcare services will be provided to attendees. Those requiring childcare services are kindly requested to RSVP by April 2nd to ensure availability.
Event Details:
- Date: April 10th
- Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Location: West Virginia Northern Community College
- Sponsors: Ohio County Partners in Prevention Team
- Funded by: Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation and TEAM for West Virginia Children
Candidates planning to attend the Forum who have not yet RSVP’d are urged to contact Raymer at 304-232-5600 or via email at Claudia@ocfrn.com.
We wholeheartedly invite all community members, especially youth, stakeholders, and candidates to join us in this critical dialogue. Together, we can amplify the voices of our youth, strengthen community engagement, and prioritize child and family issues to shape a brighter and future for the City of Wheeling.
