Community-Engagement Mentoring Conference To Benefit At-Risk Youth in South Carolina

Columbia, S.C. (June 21, 2010) – On Monday, June 28,  2010, experts from community and faith-based organizations, government agencies, and private businesses will converge in Columbia, S.C., to discuss the challenges facing youth in our communities including drug and alcohol abuse; violence and gangs; teen pregnancy; and  high school dropout rates.

Conference speakers will include:

• Jerry Grimes, Executive Director – Friends of Juvenile Justice
• Dr. Robin Melton,  Institute on Family and Neighborhood Life, Clemson University
• Keynote:  Charles Weathers –  President of The Weathers Group
• Zelda Q. Waymer, Executive Director – The South Carolina Afterschool Alliance
• Michael Smith, Restorative Justice Coordinator – Department of Juvenile Justice Office of Community Justice
• Timothy Ervolina, President – South Carolina United Way Association
• Eunika Simons, Reconnecting Communities Coalition – Richland School District One
• Youth Panel  –  “The Insiders,” a group of currently incarcerated youth and “The Messengers,” a group of formerly incarcerated youth from the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Event Information: http://pitch.pe/72303
Registration information:
Online: http://bit.ly/bcoZft
Phone: The Weathers Group – (803) 400-1991
Email: info@weathersgroup.com
General information: http://bit.ly/a6wDu8

Charles C. Weathers, Sr., president of The Weathers Group, will present the keynote address which will cover:  the value of cross-sector partnerships and alliances to address the needs of local communities; the importance of community engagement and ownership in creating and sustaining change; and overcoming barriers to communication, cooperation, and collaboration. “This conference is geared toward building trust and establishing relationships among participants to generate a synergy that sparks long-term community partnerships,” said Weathers. “Additionally, by bringing together delegates from throughout the community, we will  provide a vision for developing a network of mentoring sites to support youth in need,” states Jerry Grimes, executive director of Friends of Juvenile Justice.


About The Weathers Group
Founded in 2001, The Weathers Group (TWG) is an innovative consulting firm that specializes in developing leaders, strengthening organizations, and building communities. By providing clients with educational seminars, keynote presentations, customized tools, and technical assistance, The Weathers Group helps organizations and individuals enhance their performance. For more information, visit www.weathersgroup.com.

About Friends of Juvenile Justice
Friends of Juvenile Justice (FJJ) is a private non-profit group comprised of citizens working with the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and others in the public and private sectors to stem the rising tide of gangs, teen crime, drugs and street violence impacting our children today. FJJ is fostering a movement to not only help the kids “behind the fence” at DJJ, but also to prevent teen crime in cities, towns and rural areas across our state. We are helping communities reclaim South Carolina’s children by turning young lives around. We accomplish this by focusing on prevention and intervention, rehabilitation and reintegration.  Visit www.scfjj.org for more information.

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