kelly_charles-collins.jpgMIAMI – The Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT) will host the 6th Annual Miami-Dade County Teen Court Youth Speaking Out Against Violence Conference: Inspiring Peaceful Change on Wednesday, May 1.

The conference, set for 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 400 S.E. Second Ave. in Miami, is part of the ongoing mission of Miami-Dade County Teen Court (M-DCTC), a peer sanctioning program encouraging youths to address face-to-face the rise of violence in neighborhoods, schools and the community as a whole. 

Organizers say that along with speakers and workshops, the program is targeted to address the issues surrounding violence and related issues that contribute to violence, as well as the future of youth, and document the voices of participants as they express their concerns.

More than 200 students are scheduled to attend the conference from area senior high schools including Booker T. Washington, Dr. Michael Krop, Homestead, Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, Miami Southridge, North Miami, Miami Northwestern, and South Dade.

Also due to participate are students from Edison, Madison, Nautilus, Norland, North Miami and Parkway middle schools. Organizers say the conference will benefit students by exposing them to decision-making choices, how to be good citizens and how to make changes in peaceful ways. 

Some of the workshop topics include Bullying, Love Relationships, Violence and Media, Profiling, as well as Violence in Schools.

The special guest speaker this year is attorney and motivational speaker, Kelly Charles-Collins, Esquire. Other invited speakers and presenters include elected and local enforcement officials. 

For more information call Anthony D.  Williams, Youth Division Director at 305-375-5661 or visit miamidade.gov/economicadvocacytrust