News Release
March 20, 2007
Henry Middle School And National Non-Profit Gear Up For The 18th National Youth Crime Prevention Conference In Denver
Henry Middle School's Leadership class works with Youth Crime Watch of America and the City of Denver to attend a world-renowned four-day youth crime prevention conference.
The 18th National Youth Crime Prevention Conference and International Forum brings together youth and adults to discuss, strategize and partner to combat crime using creative and proven techniques. Lindsey Vesceri has been given the opportunity to attend this event that will feature national experts and world-renowned speakers such as "Hotel Rwanda's" Paul Rusesabagina, over 50 interactive workshops and professional development seminars. Given the importance of involving youth as a resource in the fight against crime, Henry Middle School's leadership class plans to send twenty students to provide them with leadership development training that they can bring back to Henry Middle School and the surrounding community.
The Henry Leadership class and Henry Middle School is very optimistic about the conference and the positive representation that Henry Middle School will bring to the conference. "We're glad that we have such strong support from the community and the parents of the youth attending. It's exciting that we can empower the youth in our program and keep them moving in the right direction," explains Vesceri. The Denver Safe City's program and Pat Hedrich are key players that have helped this group to defray the costs associated with the trip.
Youth and their adult allies will leave the Conference prepared to take direct action. Some of the results of last year's event include the development of a mentoring program at one school and the creation of a teacher/student council to work on problem solving in another school. A county law enforcement agency is establishing Youth Crime Watches throughout their county while another school district has established programs in the majority of their schools. Another group is planning their own youth-led citywide conference and in several communities, youth are working to reduce gun use. Programs in Panama, Puerto Rico, and Brazil are requesting Demand Reduction Training from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in their countries.
The 18th National Youth Crime Prevention Conference and International Forum is jointly produced by Youth Crime Watch of America and the City of Denver's Safe City Office. Over 1,500 delegates and nearly 100 presenters and exhibitors are expected at the four-day event, which commences on the 21st of March 2006 and concludes on the afternoon of March 24th at the Adam's Mark Denver Hotel in downtown Denver.
For more information please visit www.ycwa.org/youthcon or contact the group's coordinator, Lindsey Vesceri at 720-423-9635. Henry Middle school is located at 3005 S. Golden Way, Denver.