Teens Address High-School Dropout Rate at Children's Aid Youth Conference

February 21, 2007

What Influences Youth's Decisions to Leave School?

Contact:
Ellen Lubell, The Children’s Aid Society, (w) 212-949-4938, (c) 917-854-6864
Emily Crossan, The Children’s Aid Society, (w) 917-286-1548, (c) 201-344-5742

When:
Thursday, February 22, 2007
9:30 a.m. – noon

Where:
The Children’s Aid Society’s Philip Coltoff Center at Greenwich Village
219 Sullivan Street, between West 3rd and Bleecker

What:
During their winter break from school, approximately 200 teens will gather to discuss the school dropout rate in New York City, covering such factors as peer pressure, lack of support from parents, schools and the community, barriers for immigrants and gender inequities.

Youth from Children’s Aid programs in Washington Heights, Harlem, East Harlem and the Bronx chose the topic for the conference.

Teen guests from community organizations such as the Children’s Arts and Science Workshops; The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center; and Business Advancement and Social Entrepreneurship (BASE) will also present.

The conference is organized by The Children’s Aid Society and sponsored by the Audrey Miller Poritzky Education Fund for Children.

9:30 a.m.
Welcome and Remarks:
Michael Roberts, Director of Youth Services, The Children’s Aid Society
C. Warren Moses, CEO, The Children’s Aid Society
David Poritzky, Vice President of Audrey Miller Portizky Fund

10:15 a.m.
“Doctor” Bob Lee, Community Affairs Director for WBLS/WLIB radio and founder of Make The Grade Foundation, presents “Amazing Young People” Awards to Divine Bradley, founder of Team Revolution community center; Eric Kwan, owner and chef, Hip Hop Chow; and Lori-Anne Ramsay and Michael Ellison, founders, Business Advancement and Social Entrepreneurship

10:30 a.m. - noon
Decreasing the Dropout Rate teen presentations

***Students will be available for interviews at the conference.***

The Audrey Miller Poritzky Education Fund for Children’s mission is to help children realize their academic potential and pursue their educational dreams.

The Children’s Aid Society was founded in 1853. It is one of the nation’s largest and most innovative non-sectarian agencies, serving more than 150,000 of New York’s neediest children and their families with a network of services that includes community schools, neighborhood centers, camps, adoption and foster care services, teen pregnancy prevention, education, health and recreation. For more information, please call 212-949-4938 or visit www.childrensaidsociety.org.

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