2008

Close to 100 Flagler County Youth voluntarily participated in the 2008 YES: Youth Empowerment Summit, held on October 17th and 18th, on Friday night and all day Saturday.  Friday night, at the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club, everyone two hours of fun filled, low keyed activities, while being introduced to the YES Team, and Team Leaders.  A majority of youth enjoyed swimming, taking advantage of the Kids Gym, dancing,  and the Ice Cream Sundae Party, sponsored by Focus on Flagler Youth Coalition. All events were scheduled to motivate and excite  participants for Saturdays, full day of  leadership activities. The event concluded with everyone being given a Hawaiian Tropic Back Pack loaded with goodies valued at $40+.  

Saturday morning, at 10am, the day kicked off with participants met their Team Leader, received their YES- ID Badge, and Team T-Shirt, and reviewed daily instruction, as they viewed a room full of attractive “Empowerment tools’, which would be distributed at the end of the day.  All participants then headed off for a day of leadership activities, with their specific teams. Facilitators addressed: Coping with Peer Pressure, Leadership Skills, Teen Wellness, and the prevention of substance abuse with every team, encouraging participation. Participating  youth also had the opportunity to experience Geo Fitness, Yoga, and a ropes workshop encouraging leadership skills. Finally, all teams were  given an opportunity to produce two Podcast, on topics of interest to today’s youth, that will be available for viewing very soon on the district website as well as on MytopiaCafe.com.

The conclusion of the day, was highlighted with a slideshow reviewing event activities and the “Empowerment Tool” give-a-way! Over $7,000 worth of items were awarded to lucky YES winners! (6) Laptops,(2) IMAC Colored Computers,  (6) Bikes & Helmets, (5) Digital Cameras, (5) Digital Camcorders, (5) 4gb MP3 Players, (2) $100 Gift Cards, (6) $25 Gift Cards, are just some of the items youth were awarded. Special thanks to all Event Sponsors, including: Embassy of Hope, Barton Marlow & Co., LB Bryan & Co., Mt.. Calvary Church, Focus on Flagler Youth Coalition, Flagler County Chamber Of commerce, Palm Coast Lions, Flagler County Adult & Community Education, BTMS, ITMS-PTO, Stewart-Marchmann-ACT, NASCAR, Publix, Space Coast Credit Union, Florida Coca Cola Bottling Company, Ace Hardware, Hair Gallery, PC Ford, News Journal, MyTopiaCafe.com,  and Flagler County Auditorium.  Special Thanks to YES Friends: J.. Reilly, P. Palmer, E. Keer, and YES Family Members: L. Link, S. Stubbs, O. Ohree, L. Davis, and H. Roberson.   

The success of this event is directly related to the efforts of a GREAT Organizing Committee consisting of: Shantelle Britt (Boy’s & Girl’s Club), Bill Delbrugge (Flagler Schools), Donna Easteling (DJJ), Marian Irvin (Teen Court,) Janet Reilly (Focus), Chantell Waters (Focus).  Finally, the support of Flagler County Schools & the Flagler County Juvenile Justice Council added to the value of this wonderful Community event!

It truly does take an entire “Community”, to raise children today, and the 2008 Youth Empowerment Summit is one way a community can reach Flagler youth in a positive way and empower them to make the right choices, during very difficult times in their lives!

Here is an article on the Youth Summit: http://www.mytopiacafe.com/sub_detail.html?sub_id=19468

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If you would prefer your picture not to be used on this website please contact the webmaster at SeminaraB@flagler.k12.fl.us or MassaroC@flagler.k12.fl.us for more details about the Youth Empowerment Summit. Also soon the Podcast's from the event will be avaliable to view online.