A community forum to discuss ways to help the youth will take place Thursday.

The “It Takes a Village” forum will happen at Fairfield Recreation Center at 6:30 p.m. with the topic “Renewing of the Mind.” This is the second forum in what Carolyn Dawson, one of the founders -- along with Brenda Stewart and George Fields -- plans on having as a monthly occurrence.

“We’re hoping to make Kinston a better place,” Dawson said. “There are a lot of things going on here, but no one’s working on the mindsets. If we don’t work on those, one side will go this way, another side will go that way and nothing will get accomplished.”

The event Thursday will have a panel, including Kinston Police Chief Alonzo Jaynes. The community is encouraged to speak about any problems seen in the city.

Dawson said she hopes to expand the outreach in the future.

“We want to break into sessions and help in other areas,” Dawson said. “For example, if there are low-income families, we have someone good with finances who can help them stretch their money. We want to teach parents, and then later get to the children to teach respect and responsibility.”

For more information, contact Dawson at 252-933-4133 or Stewart at 252-525-8241.