SILVERSTREET — The Newberry County Drug-Free Communities Coalition of Underage Drinking, in partnership with the Town of Silverstreet, Westview Behavioral Health Services and the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce, held a meeting recently to determine how Silverstreet can better its own.

Charles Weathers, founder of The Weathers Group, and Kaynnera “KC” Capers facilitated the meeting at the Silversteet Community Center.

“You know so much about your community, you know what’s going on and you know what’s important. This is about having a conversation,” said Weathers. “We have almost every sector represented. We have churches, non-profits and law enforcement. It’s not about right or wrong answers, it’s about your view and how you see everything.”

Weathers asked those who attended to think about how they could be better together.

“Let’s be forward thinking and solution-oriented. It’s easy to get people in a room talking about problems, but let’s look at the solutions and do all we can to remove the barriers and truly communicate,” said Weathers.

Capers addressed the meaning of community. Responses ranged from people that are like family, but aren’t blood related to being one body, but having many members.

“When the community is not together and we’re not supporting our elected officials, not coming to the meetings and not supporting our school board, our whole community becomes dysfunctional,” said Capers.

Capers also discussed community engagement and what it means to be engaged. Participants defined being engaged as being active in the community, showing togetherness and making people aware of what is going on within the community.

To do that, means asking people to help, talking to the public, and developing diverse programs that the community can get involved in.

“We’re all from different backgrounds. This is diversity and we all need to be encouraged because you’ve got the help and you’ve got the support,” said Capers.

Capers discussed the four stages of community — a pseudo community, where everything is perfect; chaos, when no one likes decisions being made; emptiness; and true community.

He stressed that active community engagement is key to building a strong community and encouraged the Silverstreet community and surrounding communities to work together to become stronger by using what they learned.

Kaynnera “KC” Capers helped facilitate a meeting at the Silversteet Community Center.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_IMG_9028.jpgKaynnera “KC” Capers helped facilitate a meeting at the Silversteet Community Center. Kelly Duncan | The Newberry Observer

Seed packets were available for those who attended the meeting.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_IMG_9030.jpgSeed packets were available for those who attended the meeting. Kelly Duncan | The Newberry Observer

Charles Weathers, founder of The Weathers Group, helped organize a recent meeting in Silverstreet.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_IMG_9024.jpgCharles Weathers, founder of The Weathers Group, helped organize a recent meeting in Silverstreet. Kelly Duncan | The Newberry Observer

By Kelly Duncan

kduncan@s24514.p831.sites.pressdns.com

Reach Kelly Duncan at 803-768-3123 ext. 1868 or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.