Teen Empowerment Peace Conference held in Somerville

On April 10, 2010, in Latest News, by The News Staff

By William Tauro

Over 800 students attended the fourth annual Teen Empowerment Peace 2010 Conference held at Somerville High School and hosted by the City of Somerville.

Teen Empowerment's Youth Peace Conference began in 1993 as a way to bring together local youth to help solve the epidemic of gang violence plaguing cities at the time. The first conference attracted 275 teens, produced a lasting truce among five rival gangs, and set the stage for a dramatic improvement in the lives of thousands of Metro Boston and local city youths.

Somerville Police Chief Michael Cabral who is tremendously involved with the organization was the guest speaker at the event and delivered a powerful speech on violence and other teen issues which earned him great applause by all within the packed high-school auditorium.

Teen Empowerment has been around since 1992.