RCEDA 8.5x11 Report d3

Youth Retreat The Riverside County Youth Commission held the 19 th annual Youth Retreat on Thursday, August 3, 2017. The goal of the Youth Retreat is to excite the high school students for the school year and provide them with the necessary skills and information they will need to become effective Youth Advisory Council Members. Youth Advisory Council members fromall five districts were present. Legislative Interns provided transportation to and from the event and the youth were welcomed with a continental breakfast. 4 th District Supervisor Manuel Perez, provided a welcome speech to the youth to kick off the event, encouraging them to be passionate, strive for success and do what they love. He thanked them for serving their communities and being the voices of today’s Riverside County Youth Commission. Following the welcome speech, the students were able to interact with one another and play some ice breaker activities before settling into their first presentation. The Riverside University Health Systems Public Health division provided the first presentation called “Tobacco Control Project” which reviewed effects of tobacco use,

marketing strategies of tobacco companies and the importance of educating the public and their peers. The youth felt more educated and aware of tobacco related issues and felt inspired to figure out a way they can take action tomake a difference in this ongoing issue. Micki Clowney from the My College Connection program gave the second presentation of the day. Her upbeat personality and motivational presentation The Crazy C’s were very popular among attendants. She provided participants with the ins and outs of preparing for college including necessary skills for college admission and tips on financial aid and academic success. The retreat concluded with presentations from ten former Youth Advisory Councilmembers from each of the five supervisorial districts. The alumni panel including college students and young professionals who have successfully navigated their postsecondary life. The retreat provided participants with vital resources as they moved into high school.

52 www. r i v c o e d a . o r g