About the NEO Youth Summit
In February 2019, teachers representing service programs from 12 high schools met at the Cleveland Food Bank for the Northeast Ohio Service Learning Roundtable. They spent the day sharing best practices, networking with local nonprofits, and discussing opportunities for future collaboration. They decided to host a youth summit for students from all over Northeast Ohio in October 2019. Over 150 students and teachers representing 27 schools attended. COVID-19 concerns prompted event organizers to cancel the event in 2020 and 2021. In an effort to respond to the needs that surfaced during the pandemic and in hopes of increasing youth participation rates in Northeast Ohio, the summit returned in 2022. Lakeland Community College and the Perry Service Learning Program intend to host this event annually at the beginning of each academic year for many years to come.
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2023 Breakout Sessions
Human Trafficking Awareness
Attendees will learn the importance of human trafficking awareness, boundaries, self-esteem and forming healthy relationships from the perspective of a survivor mother and anti-trafficking coalition advocate. Carolyn Kinkoph, Co-Founder of the Alliance Against Human Trafficking (AAHT), will explain the impact on victims and families as the result of human trafficking victimization. She will provide insight into the advocacy work of the Alliance Against Human Trafficking (AAHT) and its partners who promote education for prevention at the local, state, and federal levels. AAHT’s multidisciplinary approach promotes partnership, prevention, prosecution for offenders, and protection for victims and survivors of human trafficking, exploitation, and abuse through trauma-responsive comprehensive care. Resource information will also be provided for attendees. Presenter: Carolyn M. Kinkoph, MBA.
Student Leadership Making District Connections
Riverside High School SIDE Leadership students will share how they have made connections between our elementary, middle school, and high school students to foster community and unity. Whether it is our SIDEkicks kindergarten program, student mentoring, transition events, 8th grade advisory sessions, or school events, our SIDE program finds ways to build connections and provide service within our own district. This lightening talk will run through each connection along with how we manage it from communication to transportation. Presenters: Jaime McIntyre, Jeff Eckles, and Riverside High School students.
Giving for Good: Nurturing Student Philanthropy
If someone offered you $1,000 to invest in any nonprofit organization, who would you choose? Participants will walk away with specific strategies to implement philanthropy in classrooms and clubs, methods to raise funds for youth to invest in their own community, tools to evaluate nonprofits, and to empower students to use their voices in the advocacy of others. Presenters: Phil Motta and Melissa Schultz.
Turning Trash to Treasure: Running a Profitable School Recycling Program
Since 2015, the Perry Service Learning Green Team has recycled 2,412 lbs. of aluminum and raised $907.56 to expand recycling efforts in our school and community. Learn practical strategies like optimized recycling setups and incentive programs for students and teachers, all aimed at amplifying sustainability efforts. Discover how your school can even earn rewards from PepsiCo for its recycling initiatives. Attendees will have the chance to win eco-friendly prizes, including pencils, t-shirts, water bottles, and a dedicated recycling bin. Embrace this opportunity to drive positive environmental change, as we guide you towards turning trash into valuable assets and creating a greener future for all. Open to educators, administrators, students, and anyone committed to fostering a more sustainable world. Presenters: Mark Soeder, [email protected] and students from Perry High School.
Attendees will learn the importance of human trafficking awareness, boundaries, self-esteem and forming healthy relationships from the perspective of a survivor mother and anti-trafficking coalition advocate. Carolyn Kinkoph, Co-Founder of the Alliance Against Human Trafficking (AAHT), will explain the impact on victims and families as the result of human trafficking victimization. She will provide insight into the advocacy work of the Alliance Against Human Trafficking (AAHT) and its partners who promote education for prevention at the local, state, and federal levels. AAHT’s multidisciplinary approach promotes partnership, prevention, prosecution for offenders, and protection for victims and survivors of human trafficking, exploitation, and abuse through trauma-responsive comprehensive care. Resource information will also be provided for attendees. Presenter: Carolyn M. Kinkoph, MBA.
Student Leadership Making District Connections
Riverside High School SIDE Leadership students will share how they have made connections between our elementary, middle school, and high school students to foster community and unity. Whether it is our SIDEkicks kindergarten program, student mentoring, transition events, 8th grade advisory sessions, or school events, our SIDE program finds ways to build connections and provide service within our own district. This lightening talk will run through each connection along with how we manage it from communication to transportation. Presenters: Jaime McIntyre, Jeff Eckles, and Riverside High School students.
Giving for Good: Nurturing Student Philanthropy
If someone offered you $1,000 to invest in any nonprofit organization, who would you choose? Participants will walk away with specific strategies to implement philanthropy in classrooms and clubs, methods to raise funds for youth to invest in their own community, tools to evaluate nonprofits, and to empower students to use their voices in the advocacy of others. Presenters: Phil Motta and Melissa Schultz.
Turning Trash to Treasure: Running a Profitable School Recycling Program
Since 2015, the Perry Service Learning Green Team has recycled 2,412 lbs. of aluminum and raised $907.56 to expand recycling efforts in our school and community. Learn practical strategies like optimized recycling setups and incentive programs for students and teachers, all aimed at amplifying sustainability efforts. Discover how your school can even earn rewards from PepsiCo for its recycling initiatives. Attendees will have the chance to win eco-friendly prizes, including pencils, t-shirts, water bottles, and a dedicated recycling bin. Embrace this opportunity to drive positive environmental change, as we guide you towards turning trash into valuable assets and creating a greener future for all. Open to educators, administrators, students, and anyone committed to fostering a more sustainable world. Presenters: Mark Soeder, [email protected] and students from Perry High School.
Personal Leadership Projects: Students Developing Service:
High school students are empowered to become service-learning leaders by discovering and addressing a community need. The SITES Program requires every student to complete a personal leadership project, giving us a trove of experience meeting visions, ideas, assistance, successes, obstacles, and stumbles. This workshop session will provide step-by-step instructions on the development of student-led mini projects, including paperwork, formative ideas, evaluation, and tips for the teacher advising multiple projects. We will have time for questions and in helping you emulate this type of learning in your classroom this year. We hope to see educators, students, and civic/non-profit leaders in this session. Presenters: Cheryl Huffer and Jeff Zullo, North Olmsted High School.
Youth Service: Tools & Resources to Engage Youth of All Ages in Service
Join us for an engaging discussion about how school counselors, teachers, and administrators can support students to engage in volunteer service! We'll discuss best practices in youth service and service learning and share ServeOhio's brand new resources available to engage youth in service, including project ideas for all ages, youth service toolkits, training, and funding opportunities! Presenters: Rebeccah Verhoff-Kiss, ServeOhio.
Be a part of something new—The Greater Cleveland Food Bank Student Ambassador Program
One out of six people in Northeast Ohio lacks consistent access to enough food to live an active, healthy life. Learn how the Greater Cleveland Food Bank addresses food insecurity and how to get involved in our mission and work. By joining our pilot Student Ambassador Program, YOU can make a difference! Bring awareness to your school and community. Discover what you can do to assist individuals who live in the world of scarcity. Be a part of the change you want to see in the world and learn more about this exciting new program. Presenter: Terrence Rounds, [email protected].
Let’s Talk About It
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a treatable mental health disorder that affects a person’s brain and behavior, leading to their inability to control their use of substances like legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications. Join me for a discussion about SUD, mental health, and its impact. Presenter: Dr. Cynthia Woods (Northeast Ohio Recovery Association), [email protected].
Students Against Destructive Decisions
We are a small school with a BIG club! Our membership exceeds 70+ students and we get more than 40 members to show up week after week. Our students will share some of the key lessons they have learned in building momentum and growing a productive and impactful student-run organization with the goal of promoting healthy choices and positive school culture. SADD promotes a sense of belonging and being true to oneself through service and community action. Specific community action examples that will be shared include but aren't limited to the following: Go Buckets, 9/11 Veteran's Day Breakfast, Halloween Heroes for custodians, bus driver, and cooks, Your Life Your Choice, Mock Crash, The Herren Project, Wellness Week, and monthly meals for local shelter. Presenters: Rita Soeder and Perry High School SADD Club.
High school students are empowered to become service-learning leaders by discovering and addressing a community need. The SITES Program requires every student to complete a personal leadership project, giving us a trove of experience meeting visions, ideas, assistance, successes, obstacles, and stumbles. This workshop session will provide step-by-step instructions on the development of student-led mini projects, including paperwork, formative ideas, evaluation, and tips for the teacher advising multiple projects. We will have time for questions and in helping you emulate this type of learning in your classroom this year. We hope to see educators, students, and civic/non-profit leaders in this session. Presenters: Cheryl Huffer and Jeff Zullo, North Olmsted High School.
Youth Service: Tools & Resources to Engage Youth of All Ages in Service
Join us for an engaging discussion about how school counselors, teachers, and administrators can support students to engage in volunteer service! We'll discuss best practices in youth service and service learning and share ServeOhio's brand new resources available to engage youth in service, including project ideas for all ages, youth service toolkits, training, and funding opportunities! Presenters: Rebeccah Verhoff-Kiss, ServeOhio.
Be a part of something new—The Greater Cleveland Food Bank Student Ambassador Program
One out of six people in Northeast Ohio lacks consistent access to enough food to live an active, healthy life. Learn how the Greater Cleveland Food Bank addresses food insecurity and how to get involved in our mission and work. By joining our pilot Student Ambassador Program, YOU can make a difference! Bring awareness to your school and community. Discover what you can do to assist individuals who live in the world of scarcity. Be a part of the change you want to see in the world and learn more about this exciting new program. Presenter: Terrence Rounds, [email protected].
Let’s Talk About It
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a treatable mental health disorder that affects a person’s brain and behavior, leading to their inability to control their use of substances like legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications. Join me for a discussion about SUD, mental health, and its impact. Presenter: Dr. Cynthia Woods (Northeast Ohio Recovery Association), [email protected].
Students Against Destructive Decisions
We are a small school with a BIG club! Our membership exceeds 70+ students and we get more than 40 members to show up week after week. Our students will share some of the key lessons they have learned in building momentum and growing a productive and impactful student-run organization with the goal of promoting healthy choices and positive school culture. SADD promotes a sense of belonging and being true to oneself through service and community action. Specific community action examples that will be shared include but aren't limited to the following: Go Buckets, 9/11 Veteran's Day Breakfast, Halloween Heroes for custodians, bus driver, and cooks, Your Life Your Choice, Mock Crash, The Herren Project, Wellness Week, and monthly meals for local shelter. Presenters: Rita Soeder and Perry High School SADD Club.
Building Healthy Relationships
An estimated 1 out of every 10 teenagers will experience dating violence. This presentation will shine a light on this important topic. In this presentation, participants will learn what healthy vs. unhealthy relationships look like, setting boundaries, and how to intervene if they see something. This presentation will also provide participants with resources and tools to help themselves or others. Participants will also understand what consent is. With the growing use of technology and social media, I will also highlight media literacy in terms of grooming, sextortion, and how to protect yourself. Presenter: Lauren Spector, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center.
Educate and Empower Yourself to Prevent Violence in Your School
How to create a SAVE Promise Club in your school (Students Against Violence Everywhere) either as a new stand alone club or embed into an existing club. Learn about 3 simple campaigns you can integrate into your student body that engages all students: Start with Hello, Say Something, and National Youth Violence Prevention Week. Presenter: Melissa Foster. [email protected], and students from Aurora High School.
How to put the “Fun” in Fundraising!
Learn valuable information on raising money for a variety of reasons. In this session, you will learn techniques to hold both small-scale and large-scale fundraisers targeting your school, community, and beyond. We will present how your class or club can effectively raise funds to benefit charitable organizations or any cause your school is sponsoring.
Presenters: West Geauga High School Interact Club.
LGBTQ Safe Spaces in Schools
LGBTQ youth thrive in an environment where they feel safe and welcome. Statistics have shown LGBTQ youth are bullied and mistreated at a disproportionately higher rate than their heterosexual peers in school. There are multiple ways that your schools, staff, facility, and peer groups can change the climate and culture. Presenters will review LGBTQ language, terminology, disparities, and barriers. Participants will engage in an interactive discussion about best practices creating inclusion. Presenters: Betty Jacobs, Founder/Executive Director of LGBTQ+ Allies Lake County.
Roundtable Discussion Group
Each school is asked to send 1 or 2 student representatives to a roundtable discussion. The purpose of this session is to allow students from different schools to share best practices, reflect on breakout sessions that impacted them, and form partnerships to address unmet needs in our community. Each school will have the opportunity to share service experiences, learn from one another, and draw insight from each other’s questions and comments. See discussion guide on next page for details. Presenter: Ruby Tozzi, Lakeland Community College and Allison Trentanelli, Perry High School.
An estimated 1 out of every 10 teenagers will experience dating violence. This presentation will shine a light on this important topic. In this presentation, participants will learn what healthy vs. unhealthy relationships look like, setting boundaries, and how to intervene if they see something. This presentation will also provide participants with resources and tools to help themselves or others. Participants will also understand what consent is. With the growing use of technology and social media, I will also highlight media literacy in terms of grooming, sextortion, and how to protect yourself. Presenter: Lauren Spector, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center.
Educate and Empower Yourself to Prevent Violence in Your School
How to create a SAVE Promise Club in your school (Students Against Violence Everywhere) either as a new stand alone club or embed into an existing club. Learn about 3 simple campaigns you can integrate into your student body that engages all students: Start with Hello, Say Something, and National Youth Violence Prevention Week. Presenter: Melissa Foster. [email protected], and students from Aurora High School.
How to put the “Fun” in Fundraising!
Learn valuable information on raising money for a variety of reasons. In this session, you will learn techniques to hold both small-scale and large-scale fundraisers targeting your school, community, and beyond. We will present how your class or club can effectively raise funds to benefit charitable organizations or any cause your school is sponsoring.
Presenters: West Geauga High School Interact Club.
LGBTQ Safe Spaces in Schools
LGBTQ youth thrive in an environment where they feel safe and welcome. Statistics have shown LGBTQ youth are bullied and mistreated at a disproportionately higher rate than their heterosexual peers in school. There are multiple ways that your schools, staff, facility, and peer groups can change the climate and culture. Presenters will review LGBTQ language, terminology, disparities, and barriers. Participants will engage in an interactive discussion about best practices creating inclusion. Presenters: Betty Jacobs, Founder/Executive Director of LGBTQ+ Allies Lake County.
Roundtable Discussion Group
Each school is asked to send 1 or 2 student representatives to a roundtable discussion. The purpose of this session is to allow students from different schools to share best practices, reflect on breakout sessions that impacted them, and form partnerships to address unmet needs in our community. Each school will have the opportunity to share service experiences, learn from one another, and draw insight from each other’s questions and comments. See discussion guide on next page for details. Presenter: Ruby Tozzi, Lakeland Community College and Allison Trentanelli, Perry High School.
2023 Volunteer Fair Participants
Organizations Invited to Participate:
ALS Association Northern Ohio Chapter Birthright Lake, Inc. Hand 2 Hand Inc. Holden Forest & Gardens InnerView: Service Hour Reporting Lake County Board of DD/Deepwood Lake County Humane Society Lake County YMCA Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity Lake Metroparks Leadership Lake County LGBTQ+ Allies Lake County Little Annie’s Hope Train Maltz Museum PepsiCo School Recycling Program Project Hope for the Homeless The Salvation Army Painesville Corps SAVE Promise Club: Students Against Violence Everywhere Torchlight Youth Mentoring Wickliffe Family Resource Center |