If you could voice any concern or opinion to an authority figure, without them knowing it was you and without you facing repercussions, what would you say?

This was the question posed to children in local churches and at Alabama Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America’s Mother Marie McDade Brunch earlier this year. After receiving a wide array of responses, Alabama Fork CPCA has joined St. James CPCA to host a community conversation with children to address those concerns.

At 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, several experts from the local community and even as far as Atlanta will meet with parents and children at St. James CPCA, 920 W. Moulton St., Decatur, for “Character, Courage and Commitment: A Community Conversation WITH Our Children.” Topics to cover include law enforcement, bullying, fashion, money management and the stress of extracurricular activities.

“Hopefully, this will build into something even greater for next year,” said Venessa Edmonds, an Alabama Fork CPCA member and event organizer. “… These are concerns that came from (children). What we’re doing is bringing subject matter experts to address those concerns.”

Edmonds said the list of experts includes a nurse practitioner to discuss mental health, an Atlanta educator to discuss how parents can help children have a successful school year and Decatur City Schools Superintendent Michael Douglas to discuss education concerns and how to handle issues at school. There will also be a family on the panel to discuss why extracurricular activities are important, how to handle the stress of multiple activities plus homework or other obligations and choosing the right activities or obligations.

Edmonds said Larry Franks of First Priority of Greater Decatur will speak on the concerns of children who may feel ostracized or bullied because of the way they dress. First Priority’s main goal is to bring Christianity to local schools, something it does in part through outreach ministries like Clothe Our Kids of North Alabama.

Jernessa Jones, a financial well-being coach with Operation HOPE’s Florence branch, will speak on money management, financial literacy and the importance of good credit and saving. According to the Operation HOPE website, it is “a for-purpose organization working to disrupt poverty and empower inclusion for low- and moderate-income youth and adults.”

“I know a lot of these kids are young, so just being able to give them a good foundation of the importance of managing their money and credit as they get older,” Jones said. “I know when I was younger, I didn’t get that in the household and had to learn it through experience.”

Bruce Jones, director of youth services for the city of Decatur, is set to moderate the panel, Edmonds said. Rather than sit still and listen to adults talk, children can participate by reading concerns to the panel to help further the anonymity of submissions, and everyone can join in a question-and-answer session at the end of the discussion.

“We want the children to be engaged, and we don’t want them to feel intimidated,” Edmonds said. “We want them to be engaged and feel a part of it.”

For more information on this free event, call 256-340-4824 or 256-431-7926.