Family First To Host Teen Summit

WAUKEGAN, Ill. - April 30, 2014 - PRLog -- Waukegan, IL, April 29, 2014– On May 24, 2014, at 11:00 am-2:00 pm, The Family First Center of Lake County (FFC), in collaboration with U.S. Senator Mark Kirk, and other important stakeholders, is presenting a Teen Summit, with local youth ages 8 to 17 to address the topic of gangs in Lake County.  More than Two hundred youth and their parents are expected to attend the event.  The Teen Summit is a component of the G.R.I.P. (Gang Resistance, Intervention &Prevention) program housed at Family First. Dr. Chenier earned a doctorate in Community Psychology at National Louis University using the G.R.I.P. program as her dissertation. “The key to stopping gang violence is early intervention in the lives of at risk youth.  We have to intervene in their lives before the streets exert influence over them,” says Dr. Chenier.  “Family First does this by providing mentors and structured activities, and also empowering the families of at-risk youth.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”  The G.R.I.P program provides youth who are at risk of gang involvement with incentives, mentoring, counseling, and anti-violence messages through positive interactions and structured activities.

The Teen Summit will consist of a panel of elected officials to include: United States Senator Mark Kirk, Congressman Brad Schneider, Dr. Evelyn Chenier, Mayor Leon Rockingham of North Chicago, State Representative Rita Mayfield, State’s Attorney Mike Nerheim, and Lake County Sherriff Mark Curran.  Immediately following the summit will be a Youth Job Fair hosted by former Congressman Bob Dold.

The Family First Center of Lake County is a “Faith Based”, Not-for-Profit Organization that is committed to bringing about positive change in this community. Its mission is to “Nurture, educate, and provide opportunities within the community by placing emphasis on rebuilding the family, repairing division, and developing strategies to empower change to create a strong family support system.” FFC programs and services are designed to empower the entire family with the necessary tools to change their lives.  FFC serves over 7,000 clients per month with support services such as free fitness classes, free access to fitness machines, nutrition seminars, resume building, rent, food assistance and utility assistance,  and counseling.


If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Dr. Evelyn Chenier at (847) 244-4374 or email at ffscenter@sbcglobal.net.