The Healthy Youth Task Force, including members of  the Peaceful Coalition, Team F.R.E.S.H. and YouthBuild, met at the B.M.C. Durfee High School library on January 7, 2009 to discuss plans for the upcoming Martin Luther King Day of Service event and preliminary ideas for the Spring 2009 Mayor's Youth Forum. The MLK event will include a speaker and will recognize a number of community service projects that the youth will be involved in. Youth contributed their thoughts about including music and break dancing and who should be included. The Healthy Youth works on all issues that affect youth, including youth substance abuse and violence prevention and any interventions involved in preventing youth risk behaviors. For more information about the project contact Healthy Youth Task Force co-chairs  Christian McCloskey at 508-324-2419, or Jamison Souza at 508-679-0922.
 

(Top row, left) Brian Velozo of YouthBuild points out some ways that his organization plans to be involved in the Martin Luther King Day of Service as Tina Marchand of Team F.R.E.S.H. and Youth Services Coordinator Christian McCloskey listen. (Top row, center) Jillian Mello offers her ideas as Marie Chase of South Bay Mental Health, Jessica Martins from Saint Anne's Hospital and Peaceful Coalition Coordinator Ine Ogagan listen. (Top row, right) Zacharia Sonallah responds while CD-REC Program Director Jamison Souza and Children In Balance Project Manager Marcia Picard listen. (Middle row, left) Megan Dibble and Jillian Mello and (right) Nick Faris respond to a humorous remark. (Bottom row, left) Peaceful Coalition member Matt Nhem makes a suggestion about the inclusion of music and break dancing at the event. (Bottom row, center) Team F.R.E.S.H members Belinda Teixeira, Nick Farias, and Stephenie Hou talk after the meeting. (Bottom row, left) Matt Nhem, Rondany Chhot and Michael Nhem talk with Mr. Souza about their plans for the event.