Somerville Youth Summit September 29
*

Somerville teens get a sit down with Mayor Joe Curtatone Sept. 29

By Elizabeth Sheeran

Somerville teens get a sit down with Mayor Joe Curtatone Sept. 29

Young people tired of always being told to listen will soon get a chance to be heard. Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone will host the first-ever Somerville Youth Summit on Wednesday, September 29, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Somerville High School.

“I look forward to hearing the collective voice of Somerville youth,” said Curtatone, who meets regularly with local youth workers and leaders, but is hosting the summit to hear directly from the largest possible number of young people. He said the event is an opportunity for youth to come together and share ideas and opinions with various City officials, as well as to learn about youth-related issues and projects currently underway in Somerville.

All youth aged 12 and older are encouraged to attend the summit, which will include a panel discussion and an open question-and-answer session with the Mayor, police and other city representatives.

Light refreshments will be served and attendees can participate in breakout sessions in smaller groups, to discuss topics ranging from youth recreational and development opportunities, to public safety and substance abuse issues. Participants will be able to continue these discussions in online forums long after the summit has ended.

“A lot of teenagers complain that they have nothing to do in this city,” said Lara Jimenez, a senior at Somerville High School, who will be moderating the panel discussion at the Youth Summit, “I think if teens come to this event, it will be an eye opener for them to find out about everything that’s going on.”

For more information about the Somerville Youth Summit, contact Youth Programming Coordinator Nancy Bacci at 617-625-6600, extension 3314.