Published in the March 18-31, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Bernice Aguilera
Bernice Aquilera
Morgan Hill is fortunate to have two powerful youth conferences and resource fairs aimed to reach, support and empower young people in Morgan Hill. These upcoming conferences have a goal of meeting youth where they are, providing them with resources, awareness and opportunities to succeed. Furthermore, these learning opportunities will help parents, guardians and community members further support the youth in our community.
Through generous financial sponsorships from the Health Trust and Healthier Kids Foundation, many community-based organizations such as the Discovery Counseling Center and the YMCA, we are working with the city of Morgan Hill and Morgan Hill Unified School District, to plan the Morgan Hill Values Youth Conference; celebrating the 7th asset of the 41 Developmental Assets our children need to succeed. The event will provide numerous opportunities for attendees to gain understanding through a variety of educational sessions. Attendees can interact with high school youths who will share their experiences living in and attending Morgan Hill schools. They will provide a unique perspective for attendees to ask candid questions of the youths about the issues they are facing. This conference will take place Saturday, April 18 at the Community and Cultural Center in Morgan Hill.
The Stay the Course: Youth and Parent Conference will take place Saturday, May 16 at Live Oak High School to serve 85 students and their guardians. The conference aims to inform students and parents attending Morgan Hill Unified middle or high schools about resources in the community and topics such as juveniles and the law, sexting/cyber-bullying, drug use and its effect on health, educational code and the expulsion process, and domestic violence, gang involvement, effective communication, and seeking employment.
The Morgan Hill Police Department, Santa Clara County Juvenile Probation, Public Defender Office and Health Department, and community-based partners, such as Community Solutions and TeenForce, will be offering workshops and resources. Presentations and workshops will be offered in English and Spanish. English-speaking parents are invited to attend student workshops. This conference is made possible by State Calgrip South County Youth REACH funding and the generous sponsorship of the Edward Boss Prado Foundation.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided at no cost to the participants at both conferences. Childcare will also be available to participants during both conferences for children who must be at least 4 years old.
For more information on Morgan Hill Values Youth, please visit www.mhyouthconference.com. If your organization would like to host an informational Asset Conference Booth, please contact Larry McElvain at [email protected].
For additional information and required registration for the Stay the Course: Youth and Parent Conference contact Claudia Rossi, Santa Clara County Board of Education Trustee, Area 7, at [email protected].
Our goal is to help young people thrive. Teaming together, we can make a difference in their lives.
For more information on how to get involved with SCYTF, contact SCYTF Coordinator, Bernice Aguilera at [email protected] or (408) 846-0337. For information related to Late Night Gym, contact Brandy Pereira at [email protected] or (408) 846-4743.
