Clinton youth are back to school, some can play sports and participate in other programs this fall, but that hasn't been the cure for struggles they encountered during the COVID shutdowns.

Tammy Wilson is the Executive Director of The Vault in Clinton and says despite things starting to return to normal for the community's youth, they are finding there are kids still struggling. She believes the continued uncertainty is contributing to anxiety in kids. 

As we seek to return to normal, kids are missing the things that they once were able to do regularly, like participate in sports and gather with friends whenever and wherever. Wilson believes it is a sense of loss.

Back when it was first established, The Vault was to be a safe place to go to remain free of trouble and receive good mentorship but in a pandemic world, Wilson indicates it is the relationships with their mentors and other youth that are making a difference right now.

Wilson says their goal is to harbor an environment for kids to establish strong relationships with adults in hopes of becoming stable adults and calls The Vault way more than a hangout.