U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace for the District of Columbia and Companions Current Annual Youth Summit | USAO-DC

WASHINGTON – The US District Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia today partnered with several local and state law enforcement partners and community-based organizations to present the annual Youth Summit, Breaking the Silence on Youth Violence. Due to the ongoing COVID-related social distancing, the summit was again presented virtually – this year in front of more than 250 young people attending.

Acting US Attorney Channing D. Phillips welcomed the young participants and praised them for their “persistence in persecuting” them. [their] despite the challenges that may arise. “”[D]For the past year and a half, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, [you] Overcome challenges and hardships, but you continue to show your determination not only to achieve personal success but also to help make your community a better place to live, ”noted Phillips. Acting U.S. Attorney Phillips also awarded Ronald Woods II one of three U.S. Attorney’s 2021 Youth Citizenship Awards. Brandi Ling and Emon Thompson, who received the award from afar, also received the USAO Youth Citizenship Award.

Each year, the free summit focuses on gun violence and mental health issues, with dynamic speakers, entertainment, prizes, and invaluable information and resources. For the past decade, the US Attorney’s Office has worked with partners to host the Youth Summit. Previous summits have included sessions highlighting the causes and consequences of youth violence, encouraging young people to make better decisions, and emphasizing the importance of working with law enforcement agencies.

This year’s youth summit focused on preventing gun violence, opioid abuse and sex trafficking. The Metropolitan Police Chief Robert J. Contee III presented himself under the direction of the local star DJ Flava. Tia Bell, founder of the TRIGGER project; Tina Frundt, domestic sex trafficking survivor, founder of Courtney’s House; and Catie Drew, DEA scientist and senior prevention program manager, among others. Deputy US Attorney Kenya Davis led the youth attendees through a discussion on human trafficking.

This year’s summit partners included the DC Prevention Center; the east of the river Family Strengthening Cooperation; Hillcrest Children’s and Family Center; the judicial services and the offender supervisory authority; the Marion Barry Summer Youth Program; the DC Metropolitan Police Department; the DC Department of Parks and Recreation; the DC Department of Behavioral Health; Justice and Education Attorneys Inc .; the DC Parent Information and Education Center; Legal Services for the University of the District of Columbias Disability Rights Protection Program and Advocacy; Phil More Fit Fitness; and kids eat for free.

For more information, contact the District of Columbia District Attorney’s Office, Wendy Pohlhaus, Director of Community Outreach, at (202) 252-6930 or [email protected].