Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By: Annie Bresee

A new event is coming to the Sportsplex this summer. The Youth Empowerment Conference will be held on Saturday, July 26, at the community center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET.

The event organizer, Tiffany Jones, says the event aims to “help youth share their voices…building their confidence, being responsible, respectful, independent and also demonstrating good leadership.”

The conference will include guest speakers, Jatavious Jones of the LaFayette Police Department, Reco Newton, an educator and Chambers County School board member and Sharon Weldon, the CCSD Superintendent.

“They set an example for these kids… their actions speak louder than their words, and they do what they got to do to take care of business when it comes to our children,” Jones said.

There will also be an open forum run by Dr. Tolandra Harris, Chris Heard and Minister Kathy Dowdell, where the kids can ask questions and “open up their voice,” Jones said.

The event is completely free to the public and open to all ages. Children do not have to be Chambers County residents to attend. However, children under six must be accompanied by an adult to attend.

Apart from the speakers, the event will feature activities, door prizes, games, face painting, as well as provide attendees with food and free school supplies for the first 25 kids to arrive. 

“I see and hear so many negative things about youth, with the grades and bad influence, peer pressure…they need their support,” said Jones on why she organized the event.

To register, email tipney254@gmail.com for a registration form and volunteer opportunities. Jones adds that donations to the event are accepted and appreciated.