I’m Erin Stenberg, the Senior Pastor at Malibu United Methodist Church. We are passionate about helping to create a compassionate community, and we recognize that youth mental health has been an increasing problem over the past decade. According to a 2021 UCLA policy brief, 45% of California youth “between the ages of 12 and 17 report having recently struggled with mental health issues, with nearly a third of them experiencing serious psychological distress that could interfere with their academic and social functioning.” With our Next Steps Career Day initiative, we are investing in the next generation by providing them with the community support, guidance, and encouragement needed for a thriving future. We are next door to Malibu High School which serves students from Ventura, Oxnard, and Santa Monica. And so, with leaders from Malibu High, along with experts in fields of law, aviation, health, arts, and business, Next Steps Career Day will provide connections to equip, empower, and inspire. It is a pleasure to be in partnership with so many talented people from our community, such as Malibu's Mayor, Paul Grisanti and Malibu’s newest Poet Laureate, Ann Buxie. Together, not only will we show our young people that they are not alone and that there is hope for the future, but they will have the opportunity to experience compassionate community firsthand. Will you partner with us?