2019 Empire Promise Youth Summit

“The 2019 Empire Promise Youth Summit kicks off the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Liberty Partnerships Program! Established in 1988-1989, LPP has a long-standing tradition of providing comprehensive services to New York students. The Program currently serves over 15,000 students in 47 project sites. These students are the highlight of the Empire Summit- we know they will take advantage of the opportunities to learn, grow, and network with fellow LPP students from across New York.”

• Program Officers Carlos J. Garcia & Benjamin J. Atwood

The 2019 Empire Promise Youth Summit was a two and a half day event filled with exciting and rich activities and experiences for both parents and students. The Liberty Partnerships Program had 339 attendees and 51 parents in total. Students and parents toured SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, NY, Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute, Utica College and Fort Stanwix, and Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees and Refugee Owned Business in Utica. They attended several workshops, some of which include: “Leadership”, “Mindfulness: Learning to Be Fully Present”,  “Latin Dancing 101”, and many more. Parents had their own team building workshops and engagement training. Students were treated to a dance party along with a photo booth and various other fun activities. Special guest Keynote Speakers April Hernandez-Castillo, a talented comedian, actress, spokeswoman for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and a nationally recognized activist and social entrepreneur from Coolspeak The Youth Engagement Company, and Dr. Calvin Mackie, a successful acclaimed author, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur, held very riveting and informative talks during the Summit.