Business and community leaders to engage with youth as mentors, role models

Eigth graders from Rufus King International Middle School will get some serious inspiration this week at a College and Career Conference hosted by Neighborhood House of Milwaukee, a community center on the city’s west side. The conference is offered through the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP), a nation-wide effort to prepare at-risk youth for a successful transition to adulthood.

Over 100 young people are expected to attend the event Friday April 15 from 9am to 1:45pm at Neighborhood House. Keynote addresses from Senator Lena Taylor and attorney Verona Swanigan will kick off the event. Speakers from Milwaukee’s business community include WISN-TV Meteorologist Mark Baden; Johnson Controls Director of Brand and Corporate Marketing Don Polite; and Harley-Davidson Archivist Kimberly Thomas . Break-out sessions will cover careers in marketing, TV, and business, non-profit work, military and medical careers, and college access and readiness.

August-Marie Ball, Board of Directors at Milwaukee Environmental Consortium, Military veteran and entrepreneur James Austin, Aurora Health Care RN Belinda Boyle and Certified Arborist Ben Reince will also meet with youth. The conference is facilitated by Asset Builders, a Wisconsin-based non-profit organization promoting financial literacy.

“Kids need to engage with strong role models and mentors,” says Neighborhood House Executive Director Jeff Martinka. “We’re proud that Neighborhood House is the place place where these kinds of positive encounters happen.”

The event is not open to the public but media interested in attending may make arrangements with Health Initiatives Manager Niki Espy at (414) 933-6161 ext. 156, nespy@nh-milw.org

MEDIA CONTACT:
Widge Liccione
Development Director
(414) 933-6161 Ext. 127
widge@nh-milw.org