The Pella Youth Coalition hosted an event last week aimed to give hope after months of educating the public about the growing use of drugs and alcohol by youth in the community.

“Hope in the Dark,” included music, anecdotes from adults, and a poem shared at the Pella Opera House, all with the intent of showing the audience that there are many of people who have succeeded in life despite being surrounded by substance abuse or other negative aspects while growing up. Geoff Bond with the Methodist Church of Britain was one of the keynote speakers, and tells KNIA/KRLS News he came to Pella based on a friendship he has with Grace Fellowship Pastor Piet Van Waarde.

“My personal story is that I came from a very difficult background, a very poor background, a background where there was drugs, violence, and alcohol, and all sorts of activity that would drag me down,” Bond says. “But through time and effort and the mentoring and support of others, I was able to overcome that, and actually to a place where I became a social worker.”

“I just wanted to come to tell people there is real hope in dark times.”

The next public event for the Pella Youth Coalition will be held on Monday, November 19th, with Pella’s first responders sharing their stories about how they’ve been impacted by drugs. Hear more about Hope in the Dark on today’s Let’s Talk Pella.