Youth Explosion 2007 held
at Edward Waters College

The Youth Explosion held a Walk for Life on Saturday, May 19th.

Youth Explosion 2007, a risk reduction conference, was held at Edward Waters College on May 18 and 19. The event brought together 200 youth for a twenty-four hour intensive health education experience on substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, nutrition and fitness, and violence elimination.

The Youth Explosion was sponsored by River Region Human Services and the Minority AIDS Coalition. Other contributors to the event were the Department of Children and Families, Duval County Health Department, CSX, and local faith-based organizations. Peer educators from the Training of Teens program provided HIV/AIDS education.

Many of the participants in the Youth Explosion were recruited by local churches, which also provided volunteers for the event. The Simpson United Methodist Church Youth Department performed. The Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority led a jazzercise class. And there was a game of AIDS Jeopardy, which was both educational and entertaining.

Speakers at the Youth Explosion included Ken Jefferson of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and Rev. Rudolph Porter of the City’s Office for Faith-based Initiatives. On Saturday morning, May 19th , MAD DADS participated in a Walk for Life in the neighborhoods surrounding Edward Waters College.

River Region has been serving Northeast Florida since 1972.
Administrative Offices 2055 Reyko Rd., Suite 101 Jacksonville, FL 32207 904-899-6300	Clinical Services 390 Park St. Jacksonville, FL 32204 904-899-6300
Some programs are funded in part by Federal, State, and Local Government Agencies, including the Substance and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Nine programs accredited by CARF. Please report website problems to dmurphy@rrhs.org.