The Citizen Recommends: Rise & Dream Youth Conference

The Denizen Recommends: Rising & Dream Youth Conference

The complimentary issue is a phone call to action for Philly teens to cleave their ain unique path toward finding, and beingness, their best selves

May. 17, 2019

You lot might remember your freshman year of high school, the place where your locker was ever jammed with loose papers, where you might accept felt merely a little bit uncomfortable all of the time in your bell bottom jeans and pimply cheeks, and where "finding your phonation" was just about as hard as finding a fashion to ask that cutie who sat in front of you on a date to the school trip the light fantastic toe.

But, oh, the times they are a changin'. This Saturday, Philadelphia'south youth are invited to "find themselves" at the first ever Rise & Dream Philly Teen Conference. The conference, which builds off of Youth Service, Inc.'south 17th annual "I Tin can Dream" Teen Conference and the Advancement Institute's 4th annual #Rise Youth Summit, are banding together to offer a safe space for teens to share their concerns and opinions both locally and nationally.

I want every youth to leave the briefing knowing that they are a valued fellow member of their community and they can be a vocalization for themselves and others.

The combining of organizations came from the realization that both have been doing similar conferences in the past. "We decided to combine the 2 in order to empower more than Philly teens in the surface area to stand up up confronting negative influences and peer pressure," says Dan Brightcliffe, marketing manager for Youth Service Inc.

The theme, "Find Yourself, Be Yourself" is a call to activeness for local teens to build their sense of identity and confidence to stand upward to peer pressure. To do this, the conference, that's expecting over 300 attendees, will host panels, workshops and discussions all with the goal to help youth find the leader within themselves.

Participants of the conference—which, hello, is free for all 13-18 year olds—volition hear from speakers and performers like keynote speaker Wallo267 , who, subsequently xx years in prison house, is now a positive social media influencer for youth; Project Positive , a local dance organisation supporting community outreach and connection in Philly; and artist ÅrÄmØ , who uses her passion for music to boo st "Voice of the Immature People."

The conference will offering light breakfast and luncheon, giveaways, and more. We emailed with Executive Director of Youth Service, Gwen Bailey, to find out more.

The unique aspect of the youth coming to the briefing is that they are willing and excited well-nigh venturing into an arena that is non their neighborhood or schoolhouse.

Jamie Bogert: Where did the theme for the summit, "Detect Yourself, Exist Yourself," come from?

Gwen Bailey : The theme came from a youth member of the planning committee who wanted a theme that supported youth beingness themselves and not having to hide who they are or fear expressing themselves.

JB: What practise you think a "positive path for the future" looks like for Philadelphia's youth and what volition be going on at the summit to assist provide that?

GB : It is essential that every developed, every advocate, every neighbor embraces the vision that youth tin and will succeed when surrounded by support, skills, compassion and noesis. The conference, in its 17th yr, offers an opportunity for youth to appoint with adults and youth who take faced adversity and take plowed through many obstacles, stumbling along the way and getting support every time. The summit tin offer hope, it can offering connections, it can offer an opportunity to have your vocalisation heard when you may not be comfortable in school or at home lending your phonation.

JB: What's unique about the age group, 13 to xviii, who are invited the conference?

GB: The unique aspect of the youth coming to the conference is that they are willing and excited about venturing into an arena that is not their neighborhood or school. They are willing to come to Temple and engage with others from many different backgrounds and from many unlike communities. Their willingness and enthusiasm sets them apart.

JB: More than and more, youth are continuing up for what they believe in and demanding they be heard. How volition this summit aide Philadelphia'southward youth in that movement?

GB : We really promise that this summit is the showtime of many youth becoming advocates for those areas they are passionate virtually and that they volition learn creative ways to have their voices heard.

JB: What practise you hope the takeaway volition be?

GB : I want every youth to go out the conference knowing that they are a valued member of their community and they tin be a voice for themselves and others. I promise they learn how important information technology is to stand up for what you believe in and practice and so with deliberate compassion.

Saturday, May 18, ix am-iii pm, Costless for Youth xiii to 18, Temple University'due south Howard Gittis Student Center, 1755 Northward. 13th Street

Photo via Rise & Dream

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Source: https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/the-citizen-recommends-rise-dream-youth-conference/

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