October 1, 2018 - Fort Wayne UNITED leaders will participate in the Allen Superior Court Great KIDS Make Great COMMUNITIES 29th Annual Conference on Youth, Thursday October 4 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
At 9:45 am, Pastor Luther Whitfield, Joe Jordan, Tabitha Ervin and Iric Headley will present a special interest session: Violence – The #1 Killer of Hope, Health and Happiness (Part One). From exposure to experience, violence has irreversible consequences that negatively impact the victim and the perpetrator. Families, communities, and countries have all been severely damaged by the disruption and destruction that violence leaves behind. In Part One, the audience will hear from people who have been forever changed by violence. Although they have physically survived, they will transparently share how they have suffered mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The session will explore how we as a community can lead with genuine empathy for those who have been impacted by violence and homicide. When the session resumes at 11 am, after a short 15 minute break, Reverend Dr. Charles Harrison, Director of the Indianapolis TenPoint Coalition, in partnership with Fort Wayne UNITED, will present Part Two of Violence–The #1 Killer of Hope, Health and Happiness. During this session, there will be a question and answer panel discussion from people who have been impacted by violence. Both sessions represent a collaborative effort between Great KIDS Make Great COMMUNITIES and Fort Wayne UNITED.
The 29th Annual Conference on Youth also features keynote speakers, special interest sessions, and a variety of workshop topics. The conference includes a service provider fair, showcasing area agencies and services, and opportunities to network with other youth and family serving professionals. Registration is still open for the conference. The $60 fee includes a continental breakfast, lunch and access to the conference and all conference materials. More information about the Conference on Youth is available at www.greatkidsallencounty.org or by calling 260-449-7272.
Fort Wayne UNITED is a Mayoral initiative that places two national efforts, Cities United and My Brother's Keeper, under one umbrella. It is designed to answer the call to enhance opportunities, advance youth advocacy and help create a safer city for all, but more specifically for black men and boys. By bringing together a group of passionate and committed leaders, the initiative will educate, inform and engage the community in an effort to make positive change one neighborhood at a time.