Healthy Mothers / Healthy Babies

On Friday, July 25, 2008 the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative Committee put on the first RFI Break the Silence/Stop the Violence Youth Conference. There were many hours of planning that went into the planning of this event through the RFI committee. The event started at 9:30 am and ended at 2:30 pm. RFI originally invited all of the Beacon Centers of Palm Beach County to bring 10 middle or High students to attend this event on Friday. There were students from all over Palm Beach County from different Beacon Center programs in attendance.	The guest speaker for this event was Mr. J. R. Thicklin of Destiny by Choice, who delivered an exceptional speech to the youth. After the morning’s presentation, the youth attended their morning break-outs. Lunch was donated and catered by Mrs. Dorthy Mckinon, founder of DOT’s Success Academy. The afternoon break-outs continued after lunch providing the youth valuable information, skills and tools they can use to avoid potential violent acts. The afternoon was closed out by Mr. Thicklin with closing remarks to the youth on agreeing to break the silence/stop the violence to make our communities and schools safer.
		PROGRAM Welcome by Andre Hankins Guest Speaker: J.R. Thicklin Executive Director/CEO Destiny by Choice, Inc. The Effects of Violence on the Family Presented by Artie William, Georgi Dixon, Sulvia Manning & Linda Battle Mothers Against Murder Youth Violence & Bullying Presented by Mario Wright & Juan Ramos Responsible Fatherhood Initiative Gang Violence Prevention Presented by Detective Byron Smith The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Teen Dating Violence Presented by Aldric Marshall Understanding the Juvenile Justice System Presented by William Hutchings Department of Juvenile Justice Protecting Our Youth Presented by Andre Hankins Responsible Fatherhood Initiative Violence in Our School Community Presented by John Hay Palm Beach County School District

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