NSCC to host fourth annual anti-violence forum

LYNN – North Shore Community College’s Student Anti-Violence Club will host an anti-violence forum today, focused on the youth empowerment program “Engaging Youth in our Community.”The fourth annual event will emphasize youth networking agencies and the importance of getting young people involved in programs and activities that serve the city’s youth in a positive way.Over 400 students from Lynn schools will be in attendance, along with representatives from 25 youth agencies and anti-violence programs who will set up booths and give presentations from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Representatives from many areas of the city’s government will also be in attendance, including Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr.’s office, which will also have an information booth.The goal of the forum is to educate students on the wide variety of community programs available to them, and generate new ideas that will keep students interested in helping the community rather than joining a gang or getting involved with drugs or violence.At 9:30 a.m. keynote speaker Peter Delani, author of “A Walk With Damien,” will present a youth empowerment program “What is in your Acorn,” focusing on making positive choices and discussing topics on emotional literacy.General Electric will donate a copy of Delani’s book to all of the students and youth groups in attendance, along with a workbook with survey questions about developing a positive regard for themselves, their world and designing their own goals, desires and purposes.Following Delani’s presentation, the students in attendance will split into groups according to agencies that they are interested in, working together to discuss new ideas based on the issues presented.The forum will also feature an open microphone session where all in attendance may discuss and present new ideas for programs and activities that will provide a positive influence for the city’s children, and keep them away from gang and domestic violence.All of the information from the open microphone and the surveys given out to students will be collected and presented to local youth organizations in attendance that wish to move forward in developing those ideas within their own organizations.The forum takes place from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the North Shore Community College Lynn Campus Gymnasium. The event is free and open to the public, and a continental breakfast will be served.