MONROE, LA – Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (NEDHSA) will bring awareness to underage drinking, drug use, mental health, and more among the teenage population in northeast Louisiana in a twohour Virtual Youth Summit event on Tuesday, May 18 from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The virtual event will be available for participation via zoom and Facebook Live.
The theme for the Youth Summit is “The Power of YOUth,” which will focus on the impact youth can make in the community and help them understand the power within themselves.
The goal of this event is to raise awareness of underage drinking and to help youth recognize the power they have for positive change.
Dr. Monteic A. Sizer, executive director of NEDHSA, said this event is the catalyst for what’s coming.
“We are taking action on the social determinants of health we know exist in our communities,” Dr. Sizer said. “Events like this can help reduce youth truancy, increase grade performance, and ultimately graduation rates. And even more so, create more productive citizens who have been transformed by what we’ve started at this type of event.”
As part of NEDHSA’s continued effort to build a unified community where individuals are thriving and reaching their full human potential, targeting adolescents plays a key role in accomplishing that.
The Youth Summit will feature keynote speaker and New Orleans rapper Dee-1 who has a mission and vision of pursuing an ever-growing relationship with God; use skills and talents to create a better existence for self and loved ones; and strive to be real, righteous, and relevant in everything a person does. Dee-1, whose real name is David Augustine, Jr., also serves on the Louisiana Council on the Success of Black Men and Boys, a state executive branch advisory board.
There will also be local influencers and motivational speakers to share transformational words of encouragement and empowerment such as Coach DJ Davis, Dr. Ashanti Jones, and Kandice Guice. DJ Make A Move will be the event’s emcee.
Dr. Sizer added: “We understand youth and young adults are looking for authenticity and a place to belong. They are looking for genuine connections to be able to freely express their hopes, fears, and dreams.”
To register and participate in the event, visit http://bit.ly/NEDHSAyouthsummit2021
