Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office will host its 18th “World Against Violence (WAV#18) Youth Conference,” tomorrow for approximately 300 middle school students from Irvington, Orange, East Orange, Cedar Grove and Newark.
Entitled: “Learning to Succeed to Reach Your Goals!” the purpose of the summit is to engage middle school students in a one day program on the consequences of negative behavior and help them to make positive choices. This invitation only youth conference will be held at the Student Center and Werner Hall of Caldwell College, located at 120 Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell from 9:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m.
The students will experience a variety of speakers and breakout discussions groups.
The breakout sessions will include:
1) Critical Thinking for Today’s Youth: This interactive workshop will engage students in a series of critical thinking exercises to teach them how to make sound decisions. This workshop will also feature a panel of high school students to provide younger students with tips on how to succeed in high school and beyond.
2) Etiquette Skills for the 21st Century: This workshop will provide students with the tools necessary to make a great and lasting impression.
3) Being Safe in Cyberspace: This workshop will make students aware of the dangers of online predators and ways to keep safe on the Internet.
4) Drug & Alcohol Free is Where It Needs to Be: This workshop will educate students about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
5) Don’t Shoot: I Want to Grow Up: This is a workshop that will offer students the realities and dangers of gangs and gun violence.
6) How to Think & Act Like An Entrepreneur: This interactive workshop will challenge students to think and behave like an entrepreneur. Students will learn how to create their own company and imagine that anything is possible.
7) A Healthy You: This workshop will provide students with the tools to build a healthy and positive relationship with their bodies, gain confidence and raise self esteem.
Major funding for this activity is provided by the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice. For additional information you may contact Nicole Graves-Watson, Community Justice Coordinator at (973) 621-4317 or (973) 699-4622.
