Listening session with LHS youth
Friday December 1st 2017 from 3:35pm to4:15pm
Explained what the Health Equity grant is (using health equity graphic)
Asked each of participants, as comfortable (or could pass) to introduce themselves. Used some prompts – year in school and how long lived in Liberal - and modeled introduction.
Nine high school students – 6 homeless (not living with parents or moving from place to place)
1 sophomore, 2 juniors and 6 seniors
All of Hispanic descent
Three girls and six boys
Okay, would you say you have a good life? And please tell us more about your answer
All students said yes they had a good life.
Live with parents
Parents take care of them and give them the things they need
Better life than many people
Have many opportunities in life
Chance to focus on dreams; achieve academic dreams
Alive, healthy, family
Opportunities to be healthy
What are some things you want to happen in your life that would make it better?
Do not really have any needs … have the things we want (answer given by one person and general, but not universal, agreement)
Post-session comment – poorly worded question … did not elicit much response
In your opinion, what does it mean to be healthy?
Because I cannot hear in one ear, having a hearing device helps me be healthy
Being physically and mentally stable
Not having to go to the doctor all the time
Not going to the dentist with problems
Being able to run upstairs without panting at the top
Different aspects –wealth, physical, emotional
Opposite of being sick
Do you think you are a healthy person?
All students said yes
Post-session comment – poorly worded question … did not elicit much response. Included it because I thought it would set ground for asking about health equity
What are some things you need in life, to help you be healthier?
Insurance
Not having long wait to see doctor or dentist
What changes have you noticed in your neighborhood in the past 5 years? (Follow-up if any of these are concerning)
New schools
More acceptance of greater diversity
Greater ethnic diversity
More restaurants
Too many abandoned buildings especially downtown
Lots of things but the town is not really progressing
Rents and taxes downtown too high
Lots of people moving here to work at National Beef
What is one thing about the place where you live that is so special that you would give it as a “gift” to another community?
Chance to save money – you can make money and cost of living is lower than other places
Post-session comment –did not elicit much response … may be audience too young?
When you think about the place where you live, what worries you the most about it?
Drugs
Safety – one student has three locks on door at home
Robbery
Vandalism
Alcohol
Drag racing
What are some small or simple things that might be able to done to create positive change?
Get a new recreation center – has not changed in years
Get (back) an arcade – like used to be in the Southgate Mall … something like Dave and Busters
More businesses in Liberal – not just restaurants – so there is stuff to do
Pet store to just hang out with animals (stress-reduction)
Are you involved in any activities other than taking your classes in school?
AVID
Working – almost all students present
Lots of clubs – Art Club, Science Club, etc.
Working out – memberships at gym
Soccer
Studying to be CNA
Anything else you would like to say that I have not asked?
Driving in the Liberal High School parking lot is a bunch of accidents waiting to happen
Lots of near-misses
Students driving without licenses …
Thank you