Teens need funds for seminar

The students also are to visit Capitol Hill and tour Howard University.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Twelve teens from city high schools will be traveling to Washington, D.C., for the PRIDE 2006 World Drug Prevention Conference on April 14-15 -- if they can raise the funding.
The teens are part of an at-risk youth program called "Reconnecting Youth." The program is offered by Recovery Restoration Inc., a faith-based, nonprofit organization that works with the teens to develop self-esteem, decision-making, personal control and interpersonal communication.
Evangelist Tracy Dawson of Youngstown, who is coordinating the trip, said the conference would be a valuable opportunity for the teens to learn about preventing the negative effects of drug and alcohol abuse in their community.
Teens from across the nation will attend the conference, which will feature more than 100 drug- and crime-prevention workshops and activities. While in Washington, the group also would visit Capitol Hill and tour Howard University.
Benefits of travel
Aside from the educational value of the conference, Dawson said that travel is not something all of the teens have had the chance to experience.
"Some of the students have never been out of the city; some have never been out of the state ... some have never even stayed in a hotel before," Dawson said. "We want to expose them to more, to show them what they can dream for and hope for."
Recently, the funding source for the trip fell through, jeopardizing the group's plans. The Mahoning County Drug & amp; Alcohol Service Board and the Ohio Department of Alcohol & amp; Addiction Services have helped cover the conference registration costs for some of the students and adult chaperones, but funds are still needed for travel, lodging and other expenses.
To raise money, there will be a Chinese auction Wednesday at Woodrow Wilson High School from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Items to be raffled include gift cards to Bath & amp; Body Works and McDonald's. There also will be gift baskets with home decor items.
Dawson said gift baskets and gift cards can be donated for the auction by calling Recovery Restoration Inc. at (330) 480-0860. Monetary donations are also appreciated and can be mailed to P.O. Box 8686, Youngstown 44507.