The La Porte County Drug Free Partnership/Drug Free Communities Coalition and the Michigan City Housing Authority are the catalysts in implementing the La Porte County Youth Leadership Summit. The general Youth Summit begins on Saturday Nov 16th from 8:30-4 at St. John’s Church in Michigan City and includes optional pre-conference Lead & Seed training from 4:00-8:00 on Friday Nov. 15th.

A special parent panel, “Perspectives on Protecting Our Youth” is scheduled on Saturday from 1:00-3:00 at the Marquette Mall community room Summit organizers recognizes that all young men and women have leadership potential and can play a role in making our community a better place if given the chance to develop, make good decisions, healthy choices, and have a voice in the community, regardless of their life situations. The summit focuses on acceptance of responsibility, without excuses, and becoming a community leader and change agent.

Organizers want to cultivate community-based leadership coalitions of non-traditional leaders to encourage them to live Above the Influence of negatives that may derail their future. Summit organizers will encourage school administrators and youth serving organizations to have representation at the summit that is reflective of the entire county.

Targeting a total of 200 middle and high school age youth from throughout La Porte County, the event is free to participants and will provide a day of inspiring speakers, breakout sessions, meals, fun activities, prizes, laptop raffle, awards, and a parent session. Participation is limited an applications will be drawn from a cross section of area middle and high schools and from area youth serving agencies. Applications will be available at schools and youth serving organizations. The event organizers are striving to include youth from throughout the county.

The event is non- denominational and open to all selected applicants. Applications have been sent to area schools and youth serving agencies, or are available from any committee member.

Summit organizers include:

Samara Mc Neal, Michigan City Housing Authority Family Self Sufficiency Coordinator
Micki Webb, La Porte County Drug Free Communities Grant Coordinator
Joan E. Ganschow, Life Changes LLC. & Commission for the Social Status of African American Males
Allison Goshorn, Purdue Extension, La Porte County
Faye Moore, NAACP Vice President
Mary Foell, Purdue Extension La Porte County
Monique Gillard, Swanson Center
Kila Payne, PNC Student Services

Some of the Major Sponsors of the event include:

Michigan City Enrichment Corp
1st Trust Credit Union
Unity Foundation
La Porte County Drug Free Partnership
Michigan City Housing Authority
Life Changes, LLC

Questions may be directed to Samara McNeal at 219-872-6521 x 204 or at smcneal@emcha.org or Micki Webb at mickiwebb@gmail.com

Article courtesy of LaPorteCountyLife.com
WRITTEN BY MICKI WEBB