Simi Valley Library Hosts Youth Council’s Teens Paint for a Cause Event

By Serena Bhat

Originally published in Simi Valley Acorn

On a Friday evening in late September, the Simi Valley Youth Council gathered with community members to tackle issues that many teens face, including suicide and depression.

The council, made up of youths who live in Simi Valley, hosts events to build community for the city’s young people.

The rock painting event, which took place Sept. 26 outside of the Simi Valley Public Library, happens every year in September, and typically students paint encouraging messages on rocks, which are later placed around the community to spread kindness and positivity.

Depression and suicide are not just issues for kids in Simi Valley, said the council’s youth sergeant-at-arms, Ethan B.

“It is an issue for teens around the world,” Ethan said. “Events like the rock painting night will help to combat this. This event is great to start conversations about this topic, but students can go even further to help our teenage community by starting initiatives in school to keep the community informed about this topic.”

A couple hundred people were present at the event, contributing to the energetic and vibrant atmosphere there.

“Suicide prevention has a lot of stigma,” said Youth Council Treasurer Saydee R. “This event helps to promote open connections between teens and serves as a valuable time for everyone to bolster a more positive atmosphere within the Simi Valley community.”

The rock painting night is one of the biggest events of the year for the Youth Council. There is often a lot of engagement with it, and afterwards, there is a fundraiser hosted at a nearby restaurant that supports the campaign of nonprofits that align with the council’s vision for the young people of Simi Valley.

This year, the fundraiser was hosted at Panda Express. All of the proceeds went to the Jed Foundation, a nonprofit that focuses on preventing suicide for teens and young adults.

Several teens at the event painted rocks embedded with deeper meanings about suicide prevention. Brianna P. painted blue and white flowers, symbolizing suicide prevention in her creation.

Sanjeev A. painted a purple rock. Purple and blue are both colors symbolic of suicide prevention.

“This is a nice event for everyone,” said Maely C. “This is something really important to talk about, and it is so cool that the Youth Council is hosting an event like this. I’m really excited to be here.” Maely was painting trees and flowers on her rock.

Mahith K., another teen at the event, said that he was also excited to be at the event and was painting a sunflower.