by Teen Empowerment in Arts and Culture, Events, Schools and Youth
Posted on March 25, 2010 at 1:48 pm
| April 10, 2010 | ||
| 11:30 am | to | 4:00 pm |
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On Saturday, April 10, 2010, more than 800 youth will attend the fourth annual Somerville Youth Peace Conference at Somerville High School, 81 Highland Avenue in Somerville, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The conference, Rising from our Roots, will feature original performances and speeches by Somerville teens based on their own lives, workshops led by the Metro Gang Unit and Harvard University, and a jobs and services fair. Attendees will have a chance to talk about their own experiences and hope for the future in an open-mic Healing Ceremony. The conference, which is presented by Teen Empowerment, Mayor Joseph Curtatone and the City of Somerville, will conclude with a performance by Essencia Latino of Chelsea.
Through original rap, skits, song, spoken-word poetry, speeches, and interactive activities, youth will examine pressing issues like teen violence, youth-police relationships, substance abuse, and suicide.
Attendees will discuss how lessons from the past can help them create positive changes in their own lives and in their communities. More than 30 Somerville youth are working on the conference. Mayor Joe Curtatone and other elected officials will join the mostly youth audience to listen to teens’ ideas for policy changes.
Inspiration for the Conference comes from Teen Empowerment Boston’s annual Youth Peace Conference, which began in 1993 as a way to bring together Boston teens to help solve the epidemic of gang violence occurring at the time. That first conference produced a lasting truce among five rival gangs and set the stage for a dramatic improvement in the lives of thousands of youth.
The Conference is open to the public. Tickets cost $3 and are available in advance from Teen Empowerment and at the door. A group rate is also available. The Somerville Youth Peace Conference is made possible in part by funding from the Charles Shannon Community Safety Initiative. In addition, more than 30 nonprofit and municipal groups are partnering with Teen Empowerment and the City to make the event a success.
WHAT: Somerville Youth Peace Conference
WHO: 800 Somerville teens, Mayor Curtatone, elected officials, Essencia Latino
WHEN: Saturday, April 10, 2010, 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Somerville High School,81 Highland Avenue, Somerville
CONTACT: 617-628-0710 or amanda@teenempowerment.org
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Good luck with the conference; I expect to be there to see it all unfold.
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