*waves* at teens

Hi there teens! *waves*

So, my twins are turning 11 this Saturday and I was thinking about how exciting it will be for them to be listeners one day (if they want to, of course). I have worked with teens at different times in my life and I was so very excited to research teen communities when we worked on adding the teen side of 7 Cups. My research surprised me--there was really no online support for teens! So, I was unsure how it would work out.

However, one lady I spoke with had ran a smaller teen supporting teens crisis line (the only one I could find). She gave me the info I really needed. She said she had found that teens were remarkably good at supporting one another, that they learned quickly, and that there were some teens she called old souls that were especially good at providing care for other teens. I was excited to give it a try! And I never looked back.

I am so impressed every day with the community our teens have built. And, truly, it is a community that you all have built. We may have set up the site to have a teen side, but the teen community truly has built itself from the ground up. I love seeing how supportive you all are for one another. And, Ive been equally impressed with the open communication and problem-solving I see happening in the teen community. You all truly are there for one another.

There have been many changes here at 7 Cups over the last few months. I know that change is hard--really hard. And, as hard as it is for adults, I can only imagine the impact changes have on you all. I am so thankful for you all and your willingness to stick with us and work to make 7 Cups the best community it can be for all involved.

Ive spent time chatting with @Iara--our awesome Teen Community Manager. Wow...her passion and dedication to making sure you all are heard has been impressive. She has inspired me to write this letter as an open invitation to you all--I am here. I want to know what youre thinking and what you want from the site. Please reply in this thread and give me ideas or constructive feedback. I truly want to hear each of you.

We've come really far and I'm looking forward to seeing where we go. Thank you!