Teen Empowerment’s 2nd Annual Conference, Speak Out & Talent Showcase

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From Jennifer Banister: jennifer@teenempowerment.org

Teen Empowerment Conference

Since last year's kick-off of Teen Empowerment in Rochester with the "All Eyes on Teens" youth conference, my colleague, Doug Ackley & his co-coordinator Robert Ricks and 10 Youth Organizers have been connecting with other teens, public officials, police officers, etc. to address the root causes of the violence that is causing so much pain & division in Rochester communities.

This Saturday, April 16 from 1:30-5:00 pm, hundreds of Rochester youth will come together for Teen Empowerment’s 2nd Annual Conference, Speak Out & Talent Showcase, entitled "Wizdom from the Streetz" at the Harro East Ballroom. i am attaching a letter that went out to agencies with more details. we are hoping the Democrat & Chronicle will publish an article this week...so look out for that.

i will be in town all weekend helping out with it. Please let me know if:

* you can do some outreach to Rochester youth
* you are interested in volunteering OR
* you are just interested in checking out the conference.

hope to run into some of you! jennifer

some background about Teen Empowerment follows, if you're interested...

as most of you know, Teen Empowerment is the organization i have been working with out here in Boston for the past 4+ years. it is a unique organization that facilitates teens connecting issues of social justice to issues of drugs, gang violence, miseducation/lack of education, etc. in many youth-focused initiatives, the emphasis is simply on individual behavior control instead of looking at these issues within the larger picture with youth involvement. meanwhile, intra-community violence & youth-on-youth murders are rarely analyzed or considered in progressive movements. it is a powerful connection to make & in the midst of really challenging situations, i find it is some of the most inspiring organizing i have been a part of.