LEWISTON – The Youth + Adults + Dialogue = Action (YADA) kick-off reception was held in the Lewiston Council Chambers before attendees headed to the Lewiston Public Library for the first of a four-week community dialogue between adults and youth.

YADA conversations are focusing on ways to make Lewiston-Auburn more youth friendly and youth empowered.

Speakers at the well-attended event focused on the positives of such conversations. Mayor Laurent F. Gilbert Sr. said, “YADA community dialogues will enable meaningful inter-generational conversations for the betterment of this community as a whole, and I applaud all who have signed on to this four-week commitment amidst busy schedules.”

Others who spoke were YADA Steering Committee Chairman Larry Marcoux, YADA Youth Facilitator Athena Andoniades of the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council and Lewiston High School Mock Trial Team, and Sen. Peggy Rotundo.

Local adult/youth musicians performed.

An action forum will take place on Thursday, Dec. 6, and Gilbert said, “Following four weeks of discussions, participants will come together ready to share what action steps they believe are necessary to meet the goals they’ve established. With committed adults and youth at the helm of this journey, I can only imagine the many positives and exciting ideas that we’ll hear on that date.”