Youth at Risk is a program initiated by ECCF to address the need for collaboration and coordination among the many providers of health services to at-risk youth in and around Essex County. The program's main event is the hugely popular, annual Youth At Risk conference. The conference is an inspirational and educational day of workshops, networking and sharing for youth services providers.

Save the Date!

2012 Youth at Risk Conference

Wednesday, June 6, 2012
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Endicott College, Beverly, MA

Registration opens April 2012

The 11th Annual Youth at Risk Conference, attended by over 650 professionals in the youth services field, was packed with inspiration, affirmation and enthusiasm.

JudyAnn Bigby, Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services, welcomed the crowd to the Post Center at Endicott College and acknowledged the importance of the work youth providers do and the power of bringing them together to share, learn and network at the annual YAR conference.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Edward Hallowell, received a standing ovation for his message about the importance of Connections. Dr. Hallowell shared his personal past as an at-risk youth and stressed that the most important way to help youth succeed is to just be there, to show up, to listen and to care about them. Research shows that the greatest predictive indicators that put kids at risk for negative behaviors are not race, economic well-being, heredity, test scores or IQ, but how connected they feel at home and at school. According to Dr. Hallowell, “When a child feels disconnected from their family or when they feel disconnected at school, they become at-risk.” He explained that the increased rate of anxiety, depression and suicide of today is directly due to people feeling isolated and marginalized and when people feel connected and cared for, they are more likely to be happy and succeed.

A second highlight of the day was the Panel of Hope, a presentation by young survivors who had battled drug or alcohol abuse in their youth. They shared their stories of success, exhorting youth care providers to never give up and to realize the impact they make. One noted, “You may not be the one to see your efforts pay off but every kind word, every nudge in the right direction, every effort made does make a difference in the life of a teen struggling to quit self destructive behaviors.”

The 22 workshop sessions presented by noted experts in the field included the latest research and methods on topics such as the Professional Guide to Gangs, Early Identification of Substance Abuse, Parent-Child (Domestic Abuse) Recovery Program and How to Engage in Healthy Conversations with Teens about Sex and more. See YAR 2011 brochure for full list of session topics.

During lunch, attendees enjoyed an exhilarating drum performance by Express Yourself students, followed by a presentation of the Diruhi Mattian Award.  Presented by YAR Committee member, Dick Muzzy, the 2011 award was given to Kelly O’Connor for her work as After-School Director at Gregg Neighborhood House in Lynn. Kelly was selected for her passion and determination to support the diverse group of kids that come through her program. Said her peers, “ She finds their strengths, gets them involved and always creates a fun, safe and nurturing environment.”

YAR attendees left with new tools, new knowledge and a clear message not to forget the importance of human connections in this time of social media and constant e-communication.