GATESVILLE, N.C. — Gates County Community Partnership (GCCP) officially launched its new Chat Bench Initiative with a powerful and uplifting community event titled “Let’s Chat: Conversations that Matter — Youth & Mental Health.” Held at the newly installed chat bench outside the Gates County Community Center, the gathering brought together families and young people for meaningful conversation about mental health, connection, and support.
The event marked the beginning of a new community effort designed to encourage open dialogue and strengthen relationships throughout Gates County. The chat bench, located at the community center, serves as the first and flagship bench in what organizers hope will become a growing network of conversation spaces across the community.
Vice President of Gates County Community Partnership Benjamin C. Saunders, Jr. welcomed attendees and shared the vision behind the initiative.
“The Chat Bench represents more than metal and paint, it represents a safe space for hearts to open and voices to be heard,” Saunders said. “Our vision is that this bench becomes a symbol of understanding, kindness, and love among all citizens of Gates County. We want it to remind people that no one has to face life’s challenges alone, and that meaningful conversation can bring us together.”
The Chat Bench Initiative was inspired in part by a New York Times article titled “I Spent a Week at a Chat Bench. Here’s What I Learned,” which explored how simple spaces dedicated to conversation can help combat loneliness and strengthen communities.
Recognizing the increasing need for mental health support and stronger community cohesion, Gates County Community Partnership developed the initiative to create welcoming, inclusive spaces where people can sit, talk, and connect. The bench serves as an invitation to engage in open conversation, whether sharing experiences, offering encouragement, or simply listening.
The goals of the program are both simple and profound:
-Enhancing mental well-being by reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation through positive social interaction.
-Promoting awareness and understanding by encouraging people to share stories and perspectives.
-Encouraging reconciliation and community unity by creating spaces where individuals from different backgrounds can find common ground.
Organizers plan to host regular events and themed discussions at the benches to raise awareness about mental health issues, encourage cultural dialogue, and highlight stories of community resilience.
The inaugural event focused on youth mental health, a topic that resonated deeply with those in attendance.
The featured speaker was Rondeshya Cosby, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and founder of Bright Shadows Telepsychiatry Services. Cosby shared insights about the challenges facing young people today and emphasized the importance of providing safe spaces where youth feel comfortable discussing their emotions and experiences.
Cosby has extensive experience in psychiatric and emergency care and has dedicated her career to expanding mental health services in northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia. Through her practice and nonprofit outreach, she works to ensure that children, adolescents, and families have access to the care and support they need.
Guiding the conversation was Dr. Crystal Harden, CEO of ForWARD Education, LLC, a science education consulting company focused on advancing educational opportunities in underserved communities. Dr. Harden facilitated a thoughtful dialogue that encouraged participation from students.
Young people in attendance engaged in the discussion, sharing their thoughts, asking questions, and reflecting on the pressures and opportunities they experience today.
Dr. Chante Jordan, President of Gates County Community Partnership, closed the event with thoughtful words of gratitude and encouragement while emphasizing the words of the panel.
Organizers described the event as insightful and enriching, particularly for the youth who attended. The conversation helped foster understanding between generations while highlighting the importance of community support in addressing mental health challenges.
The Chat Bench Initiative is a collaborative effort supported by The Obici Healthcare Foundation and the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, whose funding helped bring the project to life. Their support reflects a shared commitment to improving community health and promoting meaningful connections among residents.
GCCP hopes the Chat Bench will continue to serve as a place of openness, empathy, and dialogue, reminding residents that sometimes the most powerful step toward healing and understanding begins with a simple invitation: “Let’s Chat.”
With future conversations and events already being planned, Gates County Community Partnership believes the bench will become a lasting symbol of connection, compassion, and community unity in Gates County.