Alexandria’s Youth Leadership Conference 2022
  

Alexandria’s Youth Leadership Conference will be holding its 10th annual event Aug. 8-10 in person after two years of holding a hybrid event during Covid.

Chloe Yokitis has attended two conferences and says it will be really neat to connect the faces with the voices she heard on chat. “I got quite a few friends to sign up this year so there will be some friendly faces around as well as a chance to meet new people.”

The Youth Leadership Conference is open for rising 9th through 12th graders in the City of Alexandria. “The conference will feature interactive workshops teaching youth how to engage, lead, and advocate for issues in the community,” according to Jennifer Cohen Cordero, Communications Manager, City of Alexandria, Department of Community and Human Services. The idea is to strengthen the skills young people need to succeed and to help them feel valued by their community. 

A networking session between participants and City leaders will take place on the last afternoon which allows youth to learn about City government, non-profit organizations and various commissions. In addition, it provides an opportunity for leaders of these organizations to recruit talented youth who have the necessary skills to contribute to their groups. 

Yokitis says she got connected with the Alexandria Center for Children at last year’s event. “I was able to help get volunteers and spread the word for their Family Fun Day at William Ramsay.” She adds, “I had a friend who went to a conference and got connected with Vice Mayor Amy Jackson. She got to be an intern in her office.”

Yokitis also serves as a Keep It 360 Peer Advocate, a group which works closely with SAPCA, the Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy, and the Alexandria Sexual Assault Center to assist with prevention and outreach efforts. “I go to middle schools once a month to their after school program and talk about healthy relations, drug abuse—telling people information they need to know but no one really tells them.” She says for instance we show them a picture of two people dating and smiling and some kids will assume the couple has a really healthy relationship. “But they don’t know what may be going on behind the scene.”

This year’s conference theme is “Find Your Voice, Find Your Strength, Find Your Future.” The event is hosted by the Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy, the Alexandria Sexual Assault Center, the Alexandria Library and the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria. The conference is free but students must register by Aug. 2.

Yokitis says last year she remembers that they had sessions on how to build community and how to apply your ability, “They determined each of our leadership colors. I remember I had two—orange and yellow. One is warm and empathetic and the other a go-getter. I have both, and they go together.”

She says she looks forward to having all of this year’s conference in person, “and I look forward to lunch. It’s a good bonding experience.”

Youth who attend the conference will also receive updates during the year about internships, volunteer and leadership opportunities and other ways to get involved in the Alexandria community. For more information visit alexandriava.gov/ACAP