Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
Among the dozens of young people participating in the Fifth Annual Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) “Unleashing You” Youth Summit, in Orlando, a strong contingent from Madison made their presence known. Local youth from the Boyz to Kings (BTK) and Girlz to Queens (GTQ) dropout prevention and mentoring programs made their way to Orlando on Thursday, July 16.
While in Orlando, the youngsters had the opportunity to hear from several inspiring keynote speakers and participate in breakout sessions and interactive workshops. These sessions and workshops were designed to increase confidence, enhance life skills and prepare them for future success.
“Several BTK and GTQ youth were formally recognized during the summit for their outstanding achievements,” said BTK and GTQ Activities and Trip Coordinator Tarnisha Thompkins. “Many youths received multiple nominations across key categories including leadership, academics, community service, going above and beyond, and family engagement. Notably, Girlz to Queens received over 75 percent of the awards, highlighting the exceptional performance, dedication, and excellence demonstrated by GTQ participants.”
This experience helped to “reinforce the importance of making positive choices, setting goals and becoming productive leaders in their schools and communities. Overall the ‘Unleashing You’ Youth Summit provided an unforgettable learning experience that inspired, empowered and encouraged youth to unlock their potential and become positive leaders in their schools, families and communities.”
For more information on the BTK and GTQ programs, including how you can help and how you can registers a young person, please visit www.boyztokings.com.