U.S. Attorney Machen To Host Youth Summit On June 27 At Friendship Collegiate Academy In Northeast Washington- Third Annual Event Aimed At Breaking The Silence On Youth Violence - Free Program Includes Musical Performances, Workshops, Information-

            WASHINGTON - U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force, the East River Family Strengthening Collaborative, and law enforcement and community partners are sponsoring a Youth Summit on Thursday, June 27, 2013 at Friendship Collegiate Academy.

            Youths from the District of Columbia are invited to the free program, which runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friendship Collegiate Academy, at 4095 Minnesota Avenue NE, is conveniently located directly across the street from the Minnesota Avenue Metro station in order to provide accessibility for students to attend. 

            This is the office’s third annual Youth Summit, which assembles young people from under-served neighborhoods in the District of Columbia to discuss the most pressing public safety challenges facing their communities. Previous summits have attracted more than 300 youth participants.

            The goal of the Youth Summit is to reach out to area youth on current public safety topics in an informative and inspiring way.  Presentations will address a variety of issues facing teens in the community.  Most importantly, the Youth Summit this year will examine precursors to violence in an effort to deter youth from negative behaviors. 

            Presentations will focus on anti-bullying, sexual assault violence prevention, gang awareness, and illegal drug deterrence.   The Youth Summit will be comprised of dynamic speakers, entertainment, and break-out sessions for youth based on both age and gender. 

            The older youth will have an opportunity to learn from speakers who will emphasize the dangerous consequences of violence for both perpetrator and victims. The discussion will focus heavily on educating our youth regarding sexual assault, healthy relationships and where to seek help if they are a witness to or a victim of violence. 

            The younger students will gain valuable knowledge on distinguishing appropriate conduct and seeking help from victimization. 

            All of the youth will be provided invaluable resources at the Youth Summit, including anti-bullying guidance and information about the dangers of K-2 Spice.  Lastly, in an effort to prove to our youth that fun does not have to include negative behavior, entertainment will be provided by local performers and a national recording artist. 

            Several collaborative partners, including the Columbia Heights Shaw/Family Collaborative,  D.C. Department of  Health, D.C. Rape Crisis Center, Street Wize Foundation, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, will be coming together to present the day’s programs. The effort is supported by Project Safe Neighborhoods, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at reducing gun and gang crimes. People with questions or interest in bringing a youth group to the Youth Summit, may contact Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney for External Affairs, Wendy Pohlhaus (202)252-6930 or wendy.pohlhaus@usdoj.gov.