FRAMINGHAM, MA – Framingham State University is hosting the 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Conference on Saturday, January 14, 2012 from8:30am – 1:30pm.

The 2012 Youth Conference has something to offer to Framingham youth of all ages, with breakout sessions for kids in grades K-12.  The conference includes workshops and a “team building lunch”.

The conference starts with a general session titled: “We’ve come a long way. Celebrating the journey”.

Grade/age appropriate breakout workshops include:

• All You need is Love! – This workshop is designed to introduce our younger children, (Grades K-5), to Dr. King, his dream and vision for our future. We come in all shapes, sizes and colors; together we can do great things. Our children are encouraged to express their dreams of hope and love through arts and craft, interactive discussions and self-expression.

Youth in grades 6-12 will each attend two of the following sessions:

• “Pick Me!” explores team building, learning about each other and establishing common goals and developing the basic elements of trust, respect and understanding. Team members will learn that by working together to reach common goals and supporting each other in their endeavors, they can do more as a group by standing alone.

• “Did You See That?” explores personalities and the concept that “One of the best things about being a member of the human race is that no two people are the same.”  Participants will investigate how two people can look at the same thing but see it as something totally different.

• “Does It Really Matter? It’s only a Salad” provides students with an understanding of how important it is to lead healthy lifestyles and that of all the influences affecting our health and well-being, few are more basic or essential than the food we eat and the physical activity in which we engage.

Parents, teachers and mentors are invited to attend a session on College Financial Options, where many questions will be answered about when to apply, what is available, who is eligible, and how to navigate the college’s business offices.

Admission is FREE. All are invited to attend.  The 2012 Youth Conference will be held at Framingham State University, 100 State Street, Framingham, MA 01701.

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