Weekend retreat encourages youth to 'rise to the occasion'

The three-day-event, called 'Live Loud & Clear', will be conducted by R.E.A.C.H. Communication Inc. of Columbus, Ohio.

Founder Javier Sanchez, who will host the retreat, said: “Teens are given the skills to stand up for what they believe in and as they rise to the occasion, to lift someone else up with them.

“Positive teens doing positive things are in the vast majority on this planet and now is the time for their voices to be heard and their actions to be recognized, loud and clear.”

PRIDE executive director Judith Burgess said: “This is the 2nd annual Live Loud & Clear workshop for local high school students.

“The students agreed, last year, that the training was so beneficial that they would recommend it to their peers.

“This year we invited students from Impact Mentoring Academy, RHM School House, Home School of Excellence, Cedar Bridge Academy and Berkeley Institute.

“The students’ goal during this three day overnight retreat is to create a video that can be used as a substance abuse prevention awareness medium to share the message with their peers.”