Youth Summit Planned at CSUN

A daylong summit geared to promote activism and leadership among youths will be held at Cal State Northridge on Saturday.

Under the theme “Youth Taking Action,� the San Fernando Valley Youth Organization’s Youth Summit 1998 will explore teen-oriented issues such as alcohol and drug abuse, violence, relationships, sexually transmitted diseases, racism and sexism through a series of workshops.

“A youth can find out what resources are available to them and what they can do themselves to make a difference,� said Albert Melena, youth coordinator for the San Fernando-based group, which is affiliated with the San Fernando Valley Partnership, an event sponsor.

Other sponsors include L.A. Link, a tobacco-prevention program based in Lakewood, the Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women and CSUN’s Humanities Department.

Last year 250 youths between the ages of 13 to 18 attended the summit, including Sylmar resident Brizeida Rodriguez, 18, who was then a senior at Monroe High School in North Hills. She is now a student at Valley College.

The summit “opened my eyes and made me more aware of what’s going on in our communities,� Rodriguez said.

After attending last year’s summit, Rodriguez became a member of the youth organization.

“I really do encourage people to come because they get a lot out of it,� she said. “It’s not boring, it’s a lot of fun and you’re learning at the same time.�

As of Tuesday, 300 students had pre-registered for the event. Students interested in taking part in the summit are required to register by calling the Youth Summit information line at (818) 220-7580. Deadline for registration is Thursday.

The summit will be held at the University Student Union, situated on the east end of the CSUN campus, 18111 Nordhoff St., from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.