The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia just announced the 15th edition of its annual Anti-Violence Youth Summit, and it's set to open its doors at Catholic University on July 8, looking to enlighten and gear up the local youth for making their neighborhoods safer and prettier places to live. The event christened "Making D.C. Safe and Beautiful" will kick off at 10:00 a.m., but if you're an eager beaver, you can show up when the doors swing open at 9:00 a.m.
The summit finds its home in the Pryzbyla Center on Catholic University's campus, a spot that has served past summits well, if the USAO is to be believed, they're preparing to dish out a day filled with discussions on opioid abuse, the proliferation of firearms, and a side of mental health awareness, which is a lot to chew on but issues that cut close to the bone for many D.C. youngsters.
In a statement detailed by the U.S. Department of Justice, Supervisory Community Outreach Specialist Baretta Francis was quoted, "This summit brings together youth, community organizations, law enforcement and other partner organizations to address issues impacting youth throughout the District." They're pulling out all the stops to hammer home the message that the young people hold the power to stitch up the fabric of their communities, given the right know-how.
Partnering up with Catholic University for this event isn't a new dance for the USAO, the university has been backing this youth summit play for years, which University's Office of Events and Conference Services head honcho Jacques Moore seems chuffed about, he's reported saying, "The Catholic University of America values its years-long partnership with the USAO on the Making D.C. Safe and Beautiful Youth Summit held each summer on our campus in Northeast, DC.", and that partnership is shaping up to be a cornerstone of the event's continued success, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
