Members of Team F.R.E.S.H., the Keystone Club of the Boys and Girls Club, and the Peaceful Coalition participated in a half-day Youth Summit Training on January 28, 2008, at the Veterans' Memorial on Bank Street in preparation for the 2008 Youth Forum to be held in March. Trainer Meghan Wagner from the Medical Foundation's BEST (Building Exemplary Systems for Training) program led the group in a series of exercises and skill building sessions to prepare about twenty youth from Fall River Schools. Following some "ice breaker" exercises, the young people learned the skills of group facilitation and event organizing to prepare them to run the Forum later in the spring. Participants are scheduled to return for a follow-up training during the February school vacation. For more information about Team F.R.E.S.H. or the Forum, contact Youth Services Coordinator Christian McCloskey at 508-324-2419 or Peaceful Coalition coordinator Paul Leite at 508-679-8199.
 

(Top row, left) Lillian Phuong, Linda Rim and Meiyu Fanh share their experiences of growing up in Fall River. (Top row, center) Trainer Meghan Wagner coaches the participants to be honest in their responses to a "Forced Choices" exercise. (Top row, right) Catherine Cabral, Katie Grinell and Juliette Miller listen to the instructions for the next exercise. (Middle row, left) Kelsey Pacheco and Kendra Valente of the Keystone Club inquire about each other's like and dislikes. (Middle row, center) Ms. Wagner outlines some of the skills that the young people will be using to lead groups of other young people at the Forum in the spring as Isaiah Darby, Joao Costa and Ryan Frazer listen. (Middle row, right) Stephen Barboza listens as Tatiyana Smith makes a point. (Bottom row, left and center) Participants indicate how they feel about different issues as Giahn Karla Arzola indicates her choice by moving to the other side of the room. (Bottom row, right) Peaceful Coalition member Matthew Nhem talks about what it is like to live in his part of the City.