Youth Conference fees increase after April 18

Save $25 if you register by April 18 for the 19th Annual Youth for Youth Conference which will be held at the Hyatt Regency Guam.

The Prevention and Training Branch staff of the Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse continues to mentor Guam’s youth through the planning and implementation of the Annual Youth For Youth Conference. This year’s conference will be held from April 25 to 27, 2009 with an anticipated 400 middle and high school students in attendance.

With a conference theme “Think!” youth from Guam and the neighboring islands will generate discussions around issues and problems that affect them today, as well as provide thought-out problem-solving strategies.

“Each year’s conference has proven to be quite impressive as youth recruit their peers who commit to learning and leading.” says Bobbie S.N. Benavente, DMHSA Supervisor for the Prevention and Training Branch. “They decide on their conference theme, select among themselves and/or volunteer to work in various conference planning sub-committees and identify what topics this year must be emphasized to encourage youth to “Think” constructively and critically about its impact in their personal lives and the lives of their families.

“Over 40 youth facilitators have been trained in the various workshop topics. They’ve been working really hard to prepare for this conference so that they can positively influence other youth on Guam and throughout Micronesia.” said Logan Reyes, Adult Conference Chair.

Government agencies and corporate businesses who have committed to support this year’s conference include Department of Youth Affairs, Department of Public Health & Social Services, Office Of Highway & Safety, Guam National Guard Counter drug Program, Guam Department of Labor, One Stop Career Center, Bank of Guam, Government of Guam Employees

Federal Credit Union, Subway/Foremost Foods, Coca Cola Beverage Company, Pacific Daily News, KSTO/KISH, KIJI, Sorenson Media Group, Elite Printing, Hollywood Theaters, GPO Digital Signage, and TriVision.

After April 18, registration fees will increase from $75 to $100 per participant. Registration forms are available through school counselors, at the PEACE office in Hagatna and/or can be downloaded through www.peaceguam.org

Completed forms must be submitted with payment to Youth for Youth Live! to ensure reserved participant slots.

For more information about the upcoming conference, call the Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse, Prevention & Training Branch at (671) 477-9079 thru 9083 or Audrey Topasna at (671) 477-2304 or visit www.peaceguam.org. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]