Youth Empowerment Summit: Amplifying Voices, Inspiring Action
Youth Empowerment Summit
Students were encouraged to speak their minds and take control of their futures. They were able to hear from motivational speakers, including Kevin Bracy who reminded students that there is “greatness” in each of them.
Youth leaders will attend seminars focusing on community service and leadership development. They will be able to meet other youth leaders and create action plans for their prevention groups in West Virginia.
Canvas Institute
Canvas Institute is a community-driven organization that uses art and cultural events to promote open dialogue and inspire intentional action. Their annual Youth Summit brings young people together to amplify their voice and awaken the power they have to change their community and world. They have helped over 10,000 youths since the program began.
Bobby Digi, executive director of the Tompkinsville, Staten Island-based Canvas Institute, says his organization works to empower youngsters and provides an alternative to violence. The group advocates for anti-gun violence, a safe school environment, and health and wellness. It also conducts programs such as kids chess tournaments with the NYPD.
The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) and Canvas Credit Union are teaming up to offer students scholarships and other educationally-based opportunities. This partnership reflects the organizations’ shared values of leading with heart and showing up for the community.
Island Voice
Tshepo has a strong passion for youth development and believes that education is the key to solving community challenges. He focuses on implementing community projects to empower young people and improve their quality of life. He also volunteers with Having P.U.R.P.O.S.E, Inc, a U.S based non-profit organization promoting the SDGs globally.
In addition to the summit, the organizers hosted a Green Job Fair and a networking session that spotlighted youth-led initiatives and connected them with philanthropies and venture funds for growth opportunities. The event also included a curated program of climate-focused online courses and certificates.
The 10th annual summit was held at Wagner College in Staten Island, New York. The event was free and open to the public. Featured speakers included Bobby Digi, founder of Island Voice; Betsy Dubvosky, executive director of the Staten Island Foundation; Miss Staten Island Teen 2016, Charista Mroczek; national coding advocate Brianna Fugate; and Holy Moe Classics founder Shereese Mullings.
Con Edison
The 17th Island Voice Youth Empowerment Summit highlighted the importance of empowering young people to make a difference in their communities. The event demonstrated how organizations like Canvas Institute can empower and equip youth to address local issues.
Consolidated Edison Company of New York operates one of the most demanding and reliable electric power systems in the world. The company offers regulated electric, gas and steam delivery services to more than 3 million customers in the 604-square-mile service territory of New York City and Westchester County, NY.
The company is committed to sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It also invests in a broad range of energy infrastructure projects. The company’s principal business segments include Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Orange & Rockland Utilities and Con Edison Transmission.
Staten Island Performing Provider System
The mission of Staten Island Performing Provider System LLC is to lessen the burden of government and promote health. It is a part of New York’s Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program and serves as a local network to coordinate and deliver healthcare services. It consists of physicians, hospitals and other healthcare service providers.
The SI PPS network includes over 70 medical, behavioural and social care providers including nursing homes, Federally Qualified Health Centers and primary care practices. It also has a comprehensive community outreach and engagement strategy.
This year, the Youth Empowerment Summit featured a production by Video Music Box that dealt with gun violence and conflict resolution. It was performed at Wagner College and included a panel discussion with Staten Island’s leaders.
NYCID
NYCID hosted a youth empowerment summit at Curtis High School in 2013. Central Family Life Center staff used the event to build community rapport and introduce the community to the Cure Violence model. They also began building meaningful avenues of collaboration with other community-based organizations and key stakeholders. CFLC staff also started developing internal capacity for IDNYC, which is the City’s municipal photo ID that provides residents with a widely accepted form of identification for interacting with NYPD, accessing City buildings, qualifying for affordable housing through NYC Housing Connect and opening bank accounts.