Urgent, Inc. will produce its 2nd annual Youth Economic Development Conference and FACE Community Expo on July 30-31, 2015 at Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus from 8:30 a.m. -3:30 p.m. each day. The conference is free for youth between the ages 16-24. The featured keynote is Actor/Director Tommy Ford known for his role on the 90's sitcom, "Martin." Adults and Chaperones can register for $50. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. To register visit: www.youthconferencemiami.org.
The conference is the flagship activity of the Film Arts & Culture Coding Entrepreneurship (FACE) Summer Youth Employment and Training Program sponsored by the Southeast Overtown Park West Community Redevelopment Agency, lead by Chairman City of Miami Commissioner Keon Hardemon. This summer 67 high school, out of school and college going youth between the ages of 16-24 were hired from within the City of Miami Southeast Overtown Park West Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)/Overtown boundaries and neighboring communities.
"The purpose of the conference is to help youth and the broader community understand that for our youth to be successful young adults they must understand that their economic development begins now and is as important as continuing their education and developing life skills," quote from Saliha Nelson Vice President of Urgent Inc.
The conference creates a platform that will bring together 200 youth leaders over 2-days from Overtown and neighboring communities and provide an opportunity to network with some of Miami's leading educators, trainers, entrepreneurs and industry professionals. Conference highlights include a Youth Town Hall, Youth film screening and Education Design Challenge Competition. Notably, the Youth Voice track is sponsored by Allegany Franciscan Ministries and the Career Exploration track is sponsored by the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau.
"We are extremely proud of the support we provide in making the FACE Summer Youth Employment Program a tool for engaging the youth of the redevelopment area with an opportunity to explore career possibilities," states Clarence Woods, Executive Director, Southeast Overtown Parkwest Community Redevelopment Agency. "It's just one of the ways in which we provide a better quality of life for our residents."
This year's conference will have sessions that focus on economic and professional development. Some sessions will teach the youth on how to dress for success and how to properly manage money. Along with those are many college sessions with representatives from schools including the Miami Dade College, Barry University and University of Miami. The conference will wrap up with a musical performance from R&B artist Teenear.
The 2nd annual Youth Economic Development Conference and Face Community Expo provides an interactive platform to: 1) Engage young people around critical issues of youth unemployment, 2) Re-engage out of school youth in education, 3) Develop youth economic opportunities and 4) Help young adults gain insight on what is needed to engage and contribute successfully in the Twenty-first century economy.
This year, Urgent, Inc. secured partnerships with Miami Dade County Public Schools and Miami Dade College, North Campus to provide opportunities for eligible interns to earn high school and/or college credit by completing the summer program. The lead funder of the program is the South East Overtown Community Redevelopment Agency, additional support is received from Miami Dade County and The Children's Trust.
For more information, log on to http://www.urgentinc.org/