Supervisor Foley: Weekend Helped Youngsters Grown into Leaders

OCTOBER 25, 2006, FARMINGVILLE, NY- The Town of Brookhaven Youth Bureau hosted more than 60 teenagers and their adult advisors at the annual Peer Leadership Weekend from October 13 to 15 at Camp Quinipet on Shelter Island.

The training retreat weekend brought together eight different town-funded youth agency groups. The teenagers taking part in the retreat participated in large and small group discussions, trust building activities and workshops on relationships and substance abuse. The purpose of the weekend is to provide young people with new information and skills, as well as to provide them with insights into their own strengths and their roles as resources for their peers.

“This is a great way that the Town of Brookhaven helps its young people grow into community leaders,” said Supervisor Brian X. Foley. “They learn to have faith in themselves and to work toward the common goals that we all share. I am proud to be a part of helping to forge the teenagers who will our town’s leaders tomorrow. The Youth Bureau does a fantastic job helping our talented young people be all that they can be.”

"These types of activities provide young people with a sense of empowerment,” said Councilwoman Connie Kepert. “Developing and helping to implement community service projects teaches them that they can have a positive impact on their communities, and that their voices are important.”

Each of numerous separate groups developed a community service project that will be implemented in their own community. The projects included youth-initiated fund-raisers for families in need, and an anti-drinking and driving project.

“I learned that it’s okay to express myself, be myself, and be true to myself,” said one participant. “This weekend empowered me to do all three.”

“I learned how much of a leader I can be,” said another participant.

Participants came from Sunshine Prevention Center, Sachem Community and Youth Services, the Bellport Boys and Girls Club, Lifelines Meditation Center, Patchogue Medford Community and Youth Services, Colonial Youth Services, the Brookhaven Town Youth Council and the YMCA William Floyd Outreach Project.

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Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738 • Phone (631) 451-6955 • Fax (631) 451-6677