The newly formed Rotary Club of Queen Creek, a collective of business owners and professionals dedicated to improving their community through volunteer work, has announced its inaugural community event focused on providing resources for parents which help build self-confidence and resiliency in area teens. Highlighting the “Raising Resilient Kids” themed parent night event are three well respected presenters: Natalia Chimbo-Andrade, Director of Community Education and Outreach at Community Bridges, Katey McPherson, social media expert and community advocate and Officer Rachel de la Torre of the Queen Creek Police Department. The goal of the parent night event is to provide parents with tools and information that help build resilience in teens which will better help them overcome the growing mental health issues that many teens struggle with today. Also participating will be over 15 organizations stationed to offer information and resources to concerned parents including: La Fronterra Empact, Combs School District, Community Bridges, Queen Creek PD, Life Skills for Confidence, COPA Health, Spirit Mountain Healing Services, Mental Health Therapeutic, SOS Survivors of Suicide Support Group, SE Valley Community Alliance, I Am Teen Strong and more. Katey McPherson explained, "It is imperative that trusted adults and caregivers recognize that childhood has drastically changed with the advent of the smartphone and other devices we hand our children. The massive stressors they face are drastically different than we experienced. The race for academic performance, athletic prowess, bullying on social media/gaming platforms and the increase in youth mental health issues such as anxiety and depression must be met with a call to action that includes front loading them with prevention and resiliency training to confront these challenging times." “Many of our members who are parents, counselors, police officers and teachers have expressed a need for an event like Raising Resilient Kids to build awareness to the many challenges our youth face and subsequent resources that are available to parents. We’re pleased to be able to put together such a great event that I feel will really benefit our local community,” explained Jason Jantzen, Chair of the Rotary Club of Queen Creek. The event will start at 6:30 p.m. with food provided by ahipoki. Seating is limited, those interested in attending can register at: https://rotaryclubqc.com/events/ | 