Youth Lead Annual Summit on Health & Wellness at Woonsocket High

Fifty young people participated in the second annual Youth Summit April 19 at Woonsocket High School.

The event, whose theme was “health & wellness,” included workshops and youth-led activities addressing issues such as school and community violence prevention, promoting healthy relationships & teen dating violence prevention, and substance abuse. About 20 parents attended the evening portion of the program that culminated in a presentation of skits and songs by the participating youth based on the workshop topics.

Youth leaders from Woonsocket High School, Beacon Charter High School for the Arts and North Smithfield High School played a major role in shaping the summit. The event was organized by the Woonsocket After School Coalition and the Northern Rhode Island Family Care Community Partnership and funded through the Department of Children, Youth & Families Public Awareness Campaign to prevent child abuse and neglect. “We wanted to empower youth and teach them about positive behaviors and healthy relationships,” noted Roth Nhar, a staff member at Family Resources Community Action who convened the planning group. “They are our future,” she said.

— Family Resources Community Action