HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH EDUCATE THEIR PEERS TO DREAM OUT LOUD AT THEIR ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Saturday, May 21stis their 20th Annual “Student-Coordinated” Dream Out Loud™ Youth Leadership Conference Located at St. John’s University- D’angelo Center 

(8000 Utopia Parkway Queens, New York 11439) 

That includes presenting the 2022 Barbara Harmon Unsung Hero Award! 

The vision of The Dream Out Loud™ Conference is to allow several platforms for youth to express themselves while being educated and guided to make healthy choices. Students and staff will be treated to a day of education and interactive entertainment. In addition to presentations, performers, and workshops, breakfast and lunch will be served. “I love being a part of a team that inspires youth to become the best versions of themselves,” states Yonita Roman, one of the teen conference coordinators. 

“One in three high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, a 40% increase from 2009 to 2019”, said Surgeon General Vivek Murthy in a stark warning about the state of youth mental health this past December. “Suicide rates went up during that time by 57% among youth ages 10 to 24. During the pandemic, rates of anxiety and depression have increased… The pandemic has made the issues behind the mental health crisis only worse… This is a critical issue that we have to do something about now," exclaimed Murthy. (https://www.npr.org) 

Sponsors who are passionate about education reform and raising the bar in terms of how we approach inspiring youth to be active leaders in their community, are heeding Murthy’s call. These visionary companies and schools are responsible for creating the platform for youth to be empowered to find their voice and create a difference in their schools and community. Leading the charge is The Eisenberg Leadership Academy and St. John’s University Liberty Partnerships Program, in collaboration with Veritas Academy in Queens, NY, and The Passion Centre out of Toronto, Canada. 

On Saturday, May 21st, at 8:30 a.m, the doors of The D’angelo Center will open to 200 high school youth from around New York City as trained high school leaders will enable their peers in attendance to express themselves and learn about making healthy choices. Each student will have the opportunity to attend workshops involving subjects ranging from mental health in a post-covid world, suicide prevention, building self-esteem, cultural awareness, activating your dreams, and much more. All of the workshops will encourage students to dig deeper into issues that matter to teens today. 

The conference begins with motivational speaker Sandy Sanchez, who appeared on the Dr. Oz Show, and will culminate in awarding The Barbara Harmon Unsung Hero Award and a multicultural lunch. The Unsung Hero Award is intended to bring light to an individual’s selfless contribution. On September 11th, 2001, as the second plane flew into the World Trade Center, Barbara, with poise and character, sprung from her Wall Street office and into action. After spending six months helping others at the site of this tragedy every single night after work, she developed an illness that contributed to her tireless efforts. This illness resulted in her untimely departure, just 14 months after 9/11.

This year’s Unsung Hero Award goes to Alex Garfield, a successful entrepreneur in the world of fashion and has devoted his life to those less fortunate than him. A long time Board Member of Dress for Success, lead sponsor of the teen focused non-profit Windows of Opportunity, an avid supporter of the youth empowerment company Council for Unity, and founder of Cure by Design, which operates as part of The American Cancer Society, is only the beginning of a long list of lives that Mr. Garfield has impacted. “There is nobody I have ever met like Alex,” states TELA’s CEO, Hal Eisenberg. “Alex lights up a room with his infectious love and truly embodies what it means to go above and beyond for humanity on a daily basis. He is truly one of a kind and pure love. I have never seen anyone walk away from Alex without a smile on their face.” 

Mr. Garfield said, "I used to apologize to my son for letting go of the ‘Peace, Love & Happiness’ and all we had in the 60’s. I told him he and his friends will have to fix it when I’m gone. As my son was growing up, I choose to connect my magical friends who’ve been involved in sharing their magic with kids, so I began to connect the magic. Lately, I tell my son and his friends that my friends and I are going to do all we can to make our world a better place before we’re gone." 

The Dream Out Loud Conference is being held at St. John’s University * The D’angelo Center * 8000 Utopia Parkway * Queens, New York 11439 * May 21, 2022 * Doors Open 8:30 A.M * Opening Ceremonies 9:15 A.M. * The event is FREE. 

ABOUT THE EISENBERG LEADERSHIPACADEMY (TELA) 

TELA is designing a world where youths are taking the center stage and creating positive changes in the areas that most concern them by providing global platforms for youth empowerment and leadership. 

ABOUT ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY LIBERTY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM 

Liberty Partnerships Programs offer comprehensive pre-collegiate/dropout prevention programs and services to youth in Urban, Rural and Suburban communities. 

ABOUT THE PASSION CENTRE (TPC) 

TPC empowers individuals to identify their passion and employ it towards building a business, career, or lifestyle. TPC believes that people’s passions are the world’s greatest hidden economic and social asset. 

ABOUT VERITAS ACADEMY 

Veritas Academy is a Renzulli school of learning where faculty and staff are committed to finding and igniting the gifts and talents of every student.