“On a Quest for the Best” was the theme for this year’s Youth Blast, a two day conference for local students grades 6-12 that encourages success in areas of academics, social interactions, and relationships. Sixteen area organizations, including UTC’s Office of Equity and Diversity, Circle K, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, supported the event that provided workshops and inspiring speakers for the youth, as well as sessions for their parents, to teach them how to nurture and encourage positive relationships in their children’s lives.
“The Youth Blast is an example of what is possible when organizations partner/collaborate to address needs in our community. When I asked one youth for their thoughts about the Youth Blast, he replied that it was ‘inspiring!’ Thanks to UTC Office of Equity and Diversity and all of the financial sponsors and sponsoring organizations who made this event possible! Also, students from UTC who volunteered at this event,” said Chris Ramsey ‘90, UTC alumnus and volunteer from BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.
Youth Blast promotes positive relationships in area students’ lives. The event housed on UTC’s campus on October 2 and 3 featured workshops on safe approaches to Social Media, college, and dating values, as well as performances including a step show from UTC’s Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity chapter, Lambda Iota.
Jade Dodds, local attorney and event volunteer added, “I was energized by the collaborative effort of the organizations who worked together to plan the event. It just shows what happens when a community bands together for the sake of its youth!”
The Chattanooga Youth Blast 2015 was an awesome display of the type of partnerships needed to provide learning and social venues for local youth. The collaboration and alignment of local resources was a great indication of how our city is beginning to respond to the need to address critical youth issues. The leadership of Chris Ramsey, Jade Dodd, Temus Terry and the support of 15 other local agencies made the difference in providing two days of training worthwhile and meaningful. Thank you to Usher Raymond for his inspiring message to the students. Let’s do it again next year!