A major event is set for 2 to 7 PM this Saturday (Aug 22nd) at the David S. Palmer Arena, designed to start off the new school year with a very important message. Project Success of Vermilion County’s Jamie Nightlinger credits co-worker Bryson Hinton, and members of the Project Success Youth Council with making this Anti-Violence Back to School Summit come true.
This event for students and their families is free, with food being catered by Neil St Blues. Nightlinger says there will be fun things like face painting and live music, along with some special and useful giveaways.
AUDIO: We’re going to be giving away 500 backpacks with school supplies in them, 300 hygiene kits for young men and young women; and we’re also going to be sending all the families home with arts kits for them to have at the house. Several different resources will be there. We’re going to have a few barbers providing free haircuts for the kids.
State Rep Candidate Mary Catherine Roberson will be one of the speakers at Saturday’s Anti-Violence Back to School Summit at the Palmer Arena.
The keynote speaker will by Iran Nazario. Nightlinger says he has a very important story to share.
AUDIO: (He’s) a former gang member, turned peace advocate. He has built street outreach programs in different cities. He’s written a few books. And he also provides trainings and helps to develop curriculum.
Other speakers will include Youth Council members Payton Keith and Curtis Beasley; along with Mario Canon, Bryson Hinton, and Mary Catherine Roberson.
There are capping attendance at 500 people, and over 300 free tickets were given out as of Thursday afternoon. To get your free ticket, needed to attend this event; go to eventbrite.com, or find the link on the event flyer on the Project Success Vermilion County Facebook page.
