Last week, I was going through old files and came across a handful of cards and notes that I received when I started my position at the Downtown Development Authority, notes of congratulations and well wishes as I started this new endeavor.

Many expressed pride that, as a young professional, I had been offered the job and chose to relocate to my hometown.

What a privilege, having individuals like those — my family’s neighbors, friends, teachers, church members, and business owners — rooting for me as a young person.

In the results of the Community Impact Survey spearheaded by the Sunset Project and the Local Government class at Alpena Community College, one of the questions asked: How satisfied are you with the amount of youth-based activities in your area/ Northeast Michigan?

Of all responses, the second-most common was: “does not apply.”

That was specifically cited by older respondents.

That sparked a lengthy discussion among organizers and attendees.

Shouldn’t respondents of the older generation be concerned about the offerings for the younger generation? Wouldn’t most of them have a younger person in their life whose engagement should be in their best interest?

It’s only a matter of time until those youth will be the ones that will be in charge. They will be working the jobs, holding elected positions, raising kids, owning businesses, renovating properties.

If the younger generation doesn’t stay or return to our region, who will fill these roles?

In the 1960s through 1970s, Alpena’s population was at its peak. Graduating classes of 600 or 700 were the largest in our history.

Can you imagine if the majority of those students stayed, investing their time, talents, and capital into our community?

Instead, most of them left, finding opportunities elsewhere.

Is it a coincidence the period after was a period of economic decline?

It is not a simple task to retain or attract young people in our community. Are there meaningful, good-paying jobs with opportunities for advancement? Is there affordable, desirable housing? Is there child care and family support? Are there cool things to do and places to explore?

Fresh out of college, it was never my desire to come back to Alpena. But I was given the opportunity — and the trust — to establish my career here and be involved with the causes I care about.

Teach a kid to fish, and they’ll maybe pick up the habit and feed themselves. Give the kid a fishing pole, put them on a boat with good fishers, help them buy a boat, connect them with other fishers, and they’ll probably be more likely to stay and fish in those waters.

It is a positive sign that young people want to be in Alpena. It is in all of our interests who live here — young and old — to fit together the other pieces of the puzzle to ensure that it is feasible to live here. Jobs, day care, housing, and social activities rise to the top of the list.

There is a misconception that young people don’t want to be involved, work, or volunteer. For each of those comments I hear, an example comes to mind to prove the opposite.

Look around downtown and you’ll see the younger faces that run the businesses. Look at newly started nonprofits like Great Lakes Great Responsibility, the Sunset Project, or the Poetics Lab, and you’ll find most were started by young people.

It’s not that young people don’t want to be involved. They just do it in their own way.

Each generation is bound to see the world in a different way than the older generations. Most movements have young people to thank. We see the world as it is — but have a longer runway to see what it can become.

I am inspired by those even younger than me who are getting involved in the community, whether through painting murals or hosting poetry open mic nights or leading cleanups or teaching students.

How can we support them? Ask them what support looks like. Give them opportunities. Connect them with opportunities. Trust them to leave their own mark.

And write them a note, taking pride they have chosen to invest that passion here.