Lipscomb partners with community organizations for Youth Development Training
Chris Pepple |
Lipscomb University’s Serving and Learning Together (SALT) program partnered with Youth Life Foundation of Tennessee (YLFT) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to offer development training and networking opportunities for professionals championing the cause of at-risk youth in inner-city Nashville. Through the Health and Human Services Communities Empowering Youth Grant, YLFT has provided trainings for the past three years. As part of this training series, SALT, YLFT and DHHS joined to offer the Youth Development Training Institute for educators, nonprofits organizations and faith-based agencies developing and strengthening the community resources challenged to meet the needs of at-risk youth.
“I know of no greater calling than what you are doing,” said Dr. Jim Thomas, professor of communication and executive assistant to the president at Lipscomb, as he welcomed the participants to the Lipscomb campus. “Lipscomb University is dedicated to serving this community and supporting those of you on the front lines of working with our at-risk youth in the community. You may be the only light that some children see as they are looking for hope and looking to see beyond their current situations in life. Never lose heart.”
Mayor Karl Dean addressed the participants outlining Nashville’s commitment to improving public education and strengthening the options available to at-risk youth in the community. “There is nothing more important to this city than education. It lays the groundwork for all of our goals. We must give all children the opportunity to succeed. I am thankful to Lipscomb University for being such a great partner in our efforts to focus on education. We are all working together to move forward,” said Dean.
Over 120 participants from Tennessee, Alabama, Florida and Kentucky registered for the day-long event. The sessions focused on research on healthy youth development, creating partnerships within the community, leadership pillars, and connecting with youth through storytelling, mentoring and games. Christin Shatzer, director of Lipscomb’s SALT program, teamed with Lindsay Daly (’05), program executive for Youth Life Learning Centers, to discuss utilizing local university students to strengthen existing programs in the community.
Lipscomb’s SALT program is a comprehensive plan that has academic, personal, and civic outcomes and reflects the university’s commitment to provide undergraduate students with academically appropriate service-learning activities as we partner with front-line service providers in the community.