San Francisco, CA – The Fifth Annual Juvenile Justice Summit: “Less Talk, More Action: Solutions for Safe Schools and Safe Streets,” will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at the San Francisco Public Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin Street. Hosted annually by the Public Defender’s Office since 2004, the summit will draw over 250 youth, parents and city leaders to discuss and pose solutions to juvenile justice issues both locally and statewide.
This year’s summit will examine the issue of how violence affects youth in their schools and in their neighborhoods. The morning panel will feature Executive Director and CEO of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Nathaniel Ford, SFUSD Superintendent Carlos Garcia, Department of Children, Youth & Families Director Margaret Brodkin, and Visitacion Valley Middle School Principal James Dierke, who was recently honored with the National Middle School Principal of the Year award for his work in violence reduction. This panel will discuss how school safety, transportation and after-school activities can be better coordinated to reduce the likelihood of crime and violence. Dr. Tom Wentz from Anderson & Anderson consulting, an anger management firm, will discuss best practices in helping youth mediate conflict, and Angela Chan from the Asian Law Caucus will discuss mediation and dispute resolution strategies The afternoon panel will present a fascinating discussion of gun and violence abatement strategies, and include a wide-array of experts in this field.
Dr. Francisco Reveles, a Professor of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies at California State University, Sacramento, who has worked extensively with gang involved youth, will deliver the keynote remarks. Jon Osaki, Executive Director of Japanese Community Youth Council, will also be honored for his outstanding work supporting youth in San Francisco.
According to Public Defender Jeff Adachi, “This year we will bring together an incredible brain trust of experts and leaders who are dedicated to reducing the violence that young people are experiencing in school, on their way to school, and in their immediate communities. We have invited all of San Francisco’s key players to the Summit and we anticipate a day of commitment and more importantly, action.”
The summit is a free event, and lunch will be served on site.
