Search Institute Teams with Major Youth and Education Advocates
To Host Inaugural Big Tent Conference in Houston Nov. 18-20,
Former Deputy Assistant to President George W. Bush Henry C. Lozano and
Search Institute CEO Peter Benson Listed Among Keynote Speakers
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Oct. 1, 2010) --Search Institute (www.search-institute.org) is rallying youth and education advocates to Houston for the “first of its kind” BigTent Conference to equip them with collaborative and effective solutions for implementation when they return to their home base.
Building upon more than 50 years of positive youth development work, Search Institute is hosting the Big Tent Conference Nov. 18-20, 2010, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. Search Institute has teamed to present this national conference with numerous strategic partners and sponsors who are equally committed to making a meaningful difference for youth.
The Big Tent Conference is designed to attract thousands of youth-serving professionals, volunteers, and young people under one “big tent” to focus on the betterment of kids in every community in America. Big Tent targets teachers, school administrators, business and community leaders, elected officials, faith-based organizations, youth programs, child psychologists, family counselors, parents and students. The conference combines presentations, practical workshops, celebratory community building, and a challenging call to action. This unprecedented event aims to motivate and equip individuals, organizations, and communities to do their part to ensure that young people are ready for college, work, and life by age 21.
Henry C. Lozano, a featured keynote speaker at BigTent on Nov. 20, will present “Taking The BigTent Back Home.” As executive director of the Shinnyo-en Foundation, Lozano has been instrumental in promoting the foundation’s “Six Billion Paths to Peace” initiative both in the U.S. and around the world. Lozano's years of public service culminated in his post at the White House as deputy assistant to President George W. Bush and director of USA Freedom Corps. He is a graduate of Teen Challenge, a recovery program, and has been a champion for many causes, especially those related to substance abuse prevention and recovery programs.
“Advancing the idea of positive child and adolescent development should be a national priority. The reality is that nosingle person, organization or program has all of the answers to the challenges facing today’s youth,” commented Dr. Peter L.Benson, president and chief executive officer of Search Institute for 25 years. “By bringing multiple perspectives and approaches under one ‘big tent,’ Search Institute is encouraging organizations and individuals to share strategies, build relationships, learn new techniques, and engage in meaningful dialogue. By collaborating and aligning our resources, we can maximize the impact and effectiveness of existing messages, programs, and efforts aimed at youth and education in cities and towns throughout our nation—even though school districts are facing budget cuts, and funding of foundations and non-profit organizations is shrinking.”
Representing Search Institute, which is one of eight Founding Partners of the BigTent, Dr. Benson will serve as the host for the conference. Dr. Benson is one of the world’s leading authorities on positive human development. He is the author of more than 100 articles and chapters in scientific journals and edited books. His international reputation in human development emerged in the 1990s through his innovative, research-based framework of Developmental Assets, the most widely recognized approach to positive youth development in the United States and, increasingly, around the world. His vision, research, and public voice have led to a sea change in research, practice, and policy. Dr. Benson’s work has inspired and guided more than 600 community-based initiatives in 45 states, in every Canadian province, and on six continents.
“Search Institute is extremely grateful to our founding partners, sponsors and convening partners for contributing their time, talent and financial resources to making the BigTent Conference a reality for 2010.” said Eugene C. Roehlkepartain, vice president of Search Institute. He serves as the liaison with numerous youth-serving organizations in the United States and other countries.
Joining Search Institute, other Founding Partners of BigTent include American Association of School Administrators (www.aasa.org), America’s Promise Alliance (www.americaspromise.org), American Institutes for Research (www.air.org), the Forum for Youth Investment www.forumfyi.org, the National Collaboration for Youth (www.collab4youth.org), and United Way (www.liveunited.org). Each of these organizations is committed to the goals of the BigTent Conference and will continue to work together to ensure the success of future BigTent conferences.
BigTent sponsors include Holthouse Foundation for Kids, nFocus Software, Houston Endowment Inc., Lilly Endowment, Ready by 21, Target Corporation, Capital One Financial Corporation, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Naviance, State Farm, the YMCA of Greater Houston, YMCA of the USA, YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth, YMCA of Greater Williamson Country, YMCA of Greater San Antonio, YMCA of Austin, Texas, Boys Scouts of America, Houston CPA Society, Park Nicollet Foundation, and The Simmons Foundation. Collectively, these sponsors have contributed more than $500,000, which demonstrates their deep commitment positive to youth development.
Convening partners are working with BigTent founding partners with grassroots effort to communicate the goals of the conference and recruit attendees.
Healthy Communities Healthy Youth, a Search Institute Initiative; along with Afterschool Alliance; All Kids Alliance; American Leadership Forum; Big Brothers Big Sisters Houston; Boy Scouts of America; Boys & Girls Clubs of America; The Children’s Assessment Center; Children At Risk; City Year; Communities in Schools; Cooperative Baptist Fellowship; Corporate Voices for Working Families; Generations United; Girl Scouts of the USA; The Indiana Youth Institute; National 4-H Council; National Child Protection Training Center; National League of Cities Institute for Youth, Education, and Families; National School Climate Center; National Youth Leadership Council; The Salvation Army; Voices for America’s Children; The Y (YMCA); Youth Advocate Programs; and Youth Service America.
Marcus Flenaugh
Youth Ready Chicago Community Council Coordinator
Youth Development Director
South Side Help Center
10420 S Halsted
Chicago, IL 60628
Main: 773-445-5445
Direct: 773-701-4241
Cell: 773-234-YRC6 (9726)
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