On February 18, 2023, the Suitland Community Center was filled with hope and excitement as over 100 youth and parents gathered for the Live in P.E.A.C.E Youth Symposium. The event was sponsored by PG County and Hope in Action, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth to create positive change in their communities.
The symposium aimed to provide youth with the skills, resources and inspiration they need to overcome the challenges they face and to pursue their dreams.
Our Youth Symposium featured interactive breakout activities focusing on four topics: mental health, financial literacy, artistic expression and solutions to combat violence. The activities were facilitated by experts and mentors who shared their knowledge and experience with the youth. The youth also had the opportunity to hear from dynamic youth and young adult panelists who shared their stories of overcoming adversity and achieving success.
The symposium also included a free Chick-Fil-A lunch for all participants, as well as a raffle for prizes such as gift cards, books and headphones. The youth who attended the summit earned community service hours for their participation, totaling more than 650 hours. The organizers also collected over 80 surveys from the youth on their views and ideas on how to combat violence in their communities.
The Youth Symposium was a huge success, thanks to the collaboration and support of PG County, Hope in Action, the Suitland Community Center staff, sponsors and volunteers, and most importantly, the youth and parents who attended. The summit was a testament to the power of hope and the potential of youth to make a difference in the world.
