Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/4357/-1/140/
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Anguilla's YES Youth Conference
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Preparations for this month’s Anguilla Youth Conference are gaining momentum as personnel from the pioneering organization, ManFocus of Philadelphia PA, make their way to the island this week. The upcoming conference is being organized by a local Planning Committee chaired by the Honourable Donna Banks, First Nominated Member of the Anguilla House of Assembly, with Mrs. Gina Brooks-Hodge as Secretary.
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Pastor Harrigan
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The Conference, dubbed YES (Youth Empowerment Solutions) will be held here from February 20th to February 23rd, and comprises two main sessions: A youth forum from February 20th to February 21st and a main conference to be held on February 22nd and February 23rd.
The youth conference is targeted specially towards high school students. It is conducted in conjunction with ManFocus (a faith-based ministry of Philadelphia), the Government of Anguilla and the Department of Education represented by Mrs. Rhonda Connor, Chief Education Officer.
Basically, the Conference will facilitate programs that will challenge and empower youth to lead a “crime and violence free” life. Generally, the gist of the red-letter five-day Conference will encompass the tactics of the U.S based Youth Crime Watch, which will be tailored and customized to adapt to the Anguilla youth environment, resulting in the formation of a Youth Crime Watch of Anguilla.
The Conference is chaired by Pastor Elliot J. Harrigan, an Anguillian residing in Philadelphia. He is a theologian, lecturer, and radio broadcast host, apart from being the Founder and President of ManFocus. Pastor Harrigan holds a B.A. in English from Eastern University, and a Masters in Theology and Public Policy from Palmer Theological Seminary. Currently, he is pursuing studies in African American male behavior with focus on masculinity and its relationship to criminality and the response of the church. He is undertaking these studies as part of a PhD Degree program with the University of Wales.
At the up-coming conference, Pastor Harrigan will be accompanied by four professional facilitators, namely: his daughter, Nicole Harrigan-Nash; Terry Allen Jones; Dr. Randolph Walters; and Vincent L. Calloway.
According to Pastor Harrigan, “Training at this conference will combine a myriad of strategies that will enable the young participants to create an anger management plan for themselves; think more creatively in their solutions to community concerns; gain useful knowledge about alcohol and other drugs; and gain knowledge about how to establish a Youth Crime Watch organization.” He also noted that the outcome of the Conference should create a deeper awareness of the issues of youth and violence targeted towards the launching of a Research Project on how family problems contribute to acts of violence among youth.
With the rising rate of crime in our societies today, it is commendable that such a Conference would be in place to channel the behavioral patterns of our youngsters into a meaning direction for future national security and peace. It is expected that this conference will be well supported by the concerned stakeholders of our socio-economic structure and that participating youth will be rewarded as proud contributors to safety and civic order in our schools as well as in our peace-loving communities.