PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Merrill-Palmer Institute at Wayne State University is hosting its 23rd annual Metropolitan Detroit Teen Conference on Thursday, Nov. 2th from 8:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom on the main campus in Detroit. The conference will host 300 9th and 10th graders from more than 50 schools and organizations in metro Detroit.

The conference's theme is "Take a Giant Step." The purpose of the conference is to bring metro Detroit teenagers together from diverse backgrounds to spend the day discovering what they have in common. The diversity isn't limited to race, but also includes economic background, inner-city, suburban and those from public and private schools. The students will be put in small groups of six to eight people for topical discussions.

The discussion groups, led by trained adult and student facilitators, help the teens discover their commonalties and focus on positive goals while reinforcing in their own minds that they are empowered to make personal choices in their everyday lives that will steer them in a positive direction.

Founded by the late Mary-Agnes Davis, the Metro Teen conference is designed to help teenagers understand they can make choices in life and provide teens from diverse backgrounds an opportunity to share, learn and understand different points of view.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Merrill-Palmer Institute at Wayne State University is seeking volunteers to help with its 23rd annual Metropolitan Detroit Teen Conference, that will be held on Thursday, Nov. 2nd from 8:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. The conference will host 300 ninth and 10th graders from more than 50 schools and organizations in metro Detroit. This years conference speaker is Andrew Humphrey, WDIV Channel 4 Meteorologist.

The purpose of the conference is to bring metro Detroit teenagers together from diverse backgrounds to spend the day discovering what they have in common. The diversity isn't limited to race, but also includes economic background, inner-city, suburban and those from public and private schools. The students will be put in small groups of six to eight people for topical discussions.

That's where the volunteers come into play. As facilitators, they initiate and monitor the discussions among the students. Those interested need to attend a special training orientation on Tuesday, Oct. 17th from 8 a.m. to noon at the McGregor Memorial Conference Center on the campus of Wayne State University.

The workshop is free.

There will also be an optional luncheon following the training for $16.00 The Keynote speaker will be Linda V. Prker, Executive Director, Michigan Department of Civil Rights. The deadline to register for the workshop and luncheon is Oct. 11, 2004.

For information on becoming a facilitator call (313) 872-1790.

TEEN CONFERENCE CO-SPONSORS
(Advocates and Professional Advisors)

AAA Michigan
ACCESS
Arab-American and Chaldean Council (ACC)
American Red Cross Youth Services
Bank One
Barat Human Services
Boys and Girls Republic
Catholic Youth Organization
Child Care Coordinating Council of Wayne County
Children's Home of Detroit
City of Detroit Recreation Department
City of Detroit Youth Department
Co-Ette Club Governing Board
Co-Ette Club, Inc.
Coca-Cola Company
Comcast Cable Television
DTE Energy
Detroit Historical Museums
Detroit Institute of Arts
Detroit Public Schools
Detroit Science Center
Detroit Urban League, Inc.
Family Service of Detroit and Wayne County
Franklin-Wright Settlements, Inc.
Friends of the Detroit Public Library
Grosse Pointe Academy
Henry Ford Health Systems
Joy of Jesus
Junior League of Detroit, Inc.
Madonna University
Marygrove College
Merrill-Palmer Institute
Michigan Department of Civil Rights
Michigan Metro Girl Scouts Council
Mosaic Youth Theater of Detroit
National Council for Community and Justice/Round Table
New Detroit, Inc
Parker Counseling and Consulting Services
The Children's Center
Total Health Care, Inc.
UNCF College Fund
United Way Community Services, Inc.
University fo Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy
University of Detroit Mercy
University Liggett School
University of Michigan
Vista Maria School
Wayne State University

STEERING COMMITTEE AND HONORARY CHAIRS

HONORARY PATRON
Honorable Trudy DunCombe Archer

HONORARY CHAIRS
Robyn Arrington, Jr., MD
Benjamin Carson, M.D.
Arthur Johnson, Ph.D.
Sr. Frances Nadolny, O.P., Ph.D.
Linda V. Parker, J.D.
Pamela Trotman Reid, Ph.D.

FOUNDER
Mary-Agnes Davis, M.S.W., C.S.W.
(deceased)

LONG RANGE PLANNING CHAIR
Ethel . Burwell

CELEBRITY GUEST
Amyre Makupson, M.A.

CONFERENCE CHAIR
Diane Bostick Robinson

BUSINESS MANAGER
Trudy Shiemke

STEERING COMMITTEE
Inez Allen
Elizabeth Barton, Ph.D.
Cassandra Bowers, Ph.D.
Marlene M. Cain
Carla L. Coleman
Stuart Dow
Bernyce Edwards
Alex Gajewski
Karen W. Gaskill
Karen Gay
John Golazewski
LeShone Hall
Austerine Hambrick
Donna Harahuc
Sonia Harb
Kathryn Bryant Harrison
Risarg Huff
Danielle Jenkins
Alma Kopoencka
Cally Kypros
Jacinta S. Lee
Teresa Slaughter Lloyd
Amyre N. Makupson, Jr.
Sarah McDaid
Regina McIver-Haywood
Linda McLin
Theresa Mitchell
Doris Pope Moore
Linda Morrell
Laura E. Mosley, J.D.
Sue Norender
Mary Jane Peck
Elaine Randolph
Dora Reid
Shelita Richmond
Betty Roberts
Latosha Sayle
Kimberly Simmons
Todd Slisher
Rick Sperling
Maureen Stapleton
Nilda Thomas
Rosi Triano
Sonya Wardlaw
Beverly Weathington
Patricia Meade White
M. Kay Willingham
Carla Young

RESOURCE CONSULTANTS
Betty Arrington, Ph.D.
Gail Brumitt, Ph.D.
Ethel Burwell
Hon. Miriam Clark
Vivienne Cooper
Chacona Johnson
Gail Parker, Ph.D.
Chevis B. Spratt
Jane Rosco Thomas
Jeannette Wheatley