Media Advisory
Nov. 5 – 7 Family Support Symposium
Contact: Mitch Leff, (404) 861-4769, mitch@leffassociates.com
2007 Family Support Symposium: “Developing Youth by Strengthening Families”
When: November 5 – 7, 2007
Where: Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, Peachtree Street @ 14th St.
What:
To increase awareness of family support among Clubs, Boys & Girls Clubs of America will host its 2007 National Family Support Symposium in Atlanta, November 5-7, 2007. The theme of the event is "Developing Youth by Strengthening Families."
Attendees will learn from experts who will present new information, success stories, and practical tools and strategies for overcoming the challenges facing families today.
The Symposium will offer sessions in five areas:
· Family Dynamics - Involving parents in positive youth development
· Health - Promoting children's physical well-being and ensuring that they can participate fully in Club activities
· Education - Actively engaging parents and caregivers in their children's academic success
· Risk Factors - Understanding how gangs, drugs and violence affect families
· Community Collaborations - Identifying local/national parent resources
Experts will lead workshops focusing on:
· College: It is Possible
· Diversity: Reaching the Hard-to-Reach Communities
· Drugs: Alarming News
· Family Violence: When Love Hurts
· Fatherhood: Involving Dad
· Gangs: Joining for Life
· Kinship Care: Non-Parents Being Parents
· Parents In the Workforce
· Recognizing and Addressing Signs of Abuse: Protecting our Youth
· Teens: A Lesson in Understanding
Special Attendees:
* Judge Glenda Hatchett, Host, the Judge Hatchett show, Nov. 6, 12:15 p.m.
* Michael Dorn, Executive Director, Safe Havens International
* Melvin Richardson, author of "Embracing All of Parenthood: Our Wives and Mothers Can't Do it All". Nov. 6, 5-6 p.m.
* Jim Cox, SVP, Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Why:
The primary responsibility for the development and well-being of children lies within the family. The family is the foundation on which every child builds to create healthy relationships and learn to function in the outside world. We cannot overestimate the influence of family on children. But, many economic and social factors weaken family bonds and compromise children's healthy emotional and physical development.
About BGCA:
Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) comprises a national network of more than 4,000 neighborhood-based facilities, with 4.8 million youth served through Club membership and community outreach, in all 50 states and on U.S. military bases worldwide. Known as “The Positive Place for Kids,” the Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff.
Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize leadership development, education and career exploration, financial literacy, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation, and family outreach. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.
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