TURNERS FALLS — Community Action’s annual Youth Conference will mark its 25th consecutive year on May 14, when youth from across the region are set to gather at Turners Falls High School to take part in a series of workshops about undoing racism and homophobia, mental health and job preparedness, among other topics.
Community Action Youth Programs Director Lev Ben-Ezra said this year’s conference — the second to be planned and organized by Community Action after it took over that role from the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, she said — will have a Breaking Barriers, Rising and Thriving theme.
It will feature workshops on racial justice, particularly for youth of color and white allies, how to manage money, various issues facing and the history of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersexual or asexual community, substance abuse prevention, relationships and media literacy.
The organization has also been working with the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts to design a Food Justice track for participants who are interested in that, which will run throughout the morning and afternoon sessions.
For youth interested in attending, the registration deadline has been extended to May 2. That can be done at www.communityaction.us/youth-conference.html.
This year, Ben-Ezra said, the conference will offer scholarships and transportation services to make it easier for youth to attend, and it will once again be held on a Saturday to facilitate that. There’s room for up to 200 attendees.
“The Youth Conference provides a crucial space for young people to engage with the issues and ideas that are important to them and their community,” Ben-Ezra said. “The conference is a place where youth are empowered to work collaboratively, network with their peers and expand their outlook and knowledge through collaborative workshops.”
The workshops will be led by both fellow youth and community members.