YSI’s Annual “My Life, My Future” Teen Conference will be held on June 26 at Temple’s Howard Gittis Student Center. For more than ten years this event has provided teens with an opportunity to learn and share about important issues like self-esteem, relationship violence, and building a successful future.

This year’s conference will feature inspiring speakers and informative workshops, many of which are led by high school and college students. The event will also include great entertainment, including DJ Reezy, Enon’s Steps of Faith, and PYPM spoken word finalist Jasmin Johnson. Lunch is provided.

We encourage you to register a teen (ages 13 – 18) for this one-day conference as soon as possible. Space is limited. We also have a number of volunteer opportunities.

Email teenconference@ysiphila.org or call 215-222-3262 ext. 80 to register a teen for the conference or to sign up to volunteer. You can find the event on Facebook at My Life, My Future Teen Conference 2013.

On Saturday, May 18, Sincerely Shoes will be holding a ‘Glitzylicious’ Fashion Mixer from 2pm-8pm. Located at 6152 Ridge Avenue, vendors Glitzylicious, Labeled Poise and Karma Kollections have an exciting day of shopping, music and refreshments planned for anyone who wants to attend.

There will be $3 tickets for a Gift Basket Giveaway, which includes a Glitzy Poise Karma Combo Pack, with 50% of raffle proceeds being donated to YSI. Donated items will also be accepted. Click here for the event flyer. Hope to see you all there!

Since 1983, April has been known as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. As parents, caregivers and community members, the work of raising children is one of our greatest responsibilities. While we aim to set positive examples and help children build their confidence, too many young Americans are still hurt by neglect and abuse. April is a month for us to recognize that we have the ability to stop violence within the home and help empower children across the country.

While a strong family unit is the ultimate defense against child abuse, there are many circumstances that prevent young Americans from having that strong family unit. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that more than 740,000 children and youth are treated in hospitals as a result of violence each year – that’s more than 84 children an hour. Trusted friends and active community members can help make certain that families receive the support they need by offering their time and resources, as well as taking an active role in the lives of the children. By coming together as a community, we can foster a safe environment for children to learn and grow.

If you or someone you know is in need of emergency or respite childcare, don’t hesitate to contact Youth Service, Inc. YSI can provide many answers and resources for those who are in need of a helping hand. Located at 34^th and Baring in West Philadelphia, the Baring House Crisis Nursery provides free temporary childcare services for children from birth to five years old. Operating 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, a nurturing staff provides children with stable, high-quality care. The Sally Watson Center, which can be found on Wayne Avenue in Germantown, is YSI’s other crisis nursery center. These programs provide comfort for parents who need childcare because they are in a hospital or treatment program and those who are job searching or dealing with other stress that could lead to the abuse of a child.

Remember, you have the power to make a difference in the lives of children all around you. For more information about becoming involved with YSI, check us out on the web at www.ysiphila.org, or call (215) 222-3262.

Although very few people are aware of it, March is National Parenting Awareness Month. The goal of this campaign is to help the public better understand the role that parents play in the growth and development of their children.

Parenting is hard. It’s very easy to get caught up in the everyday hustle and bustle of life, but sometimes we need to take a step back and focus on the bigger picture: are we fulfilling our duties as parents? No matter what stage of parenting you’re in, children’s needs are constantly changing. The National Parenting Awareness campaign aims to help parents work through those changes and reminds them that their role in the lives of their children is vital. For free resources, tips and parenting stories, check out http://www.parenting.org/.

We are proud to announce that Youth Service, Inc.’s YES shelter has been chosen by the NFL Alumni Philadelphia Chapter as the sole beneficiary of their upcoming golf event. This is the first year that they are announcing the recipient prior to the event, which we believe will help to shed more light on the shelter and the mission of our organization.

The Golf Classic will be held on June 24, 2013 at Running Deer Golf Club in Pittsgrove Township, New Jersey. Following the tournament will be a New York-themed cocktail hour, awards ceremony and auction. All of the proceeds will be given to Youth Service, Inc. The teams will consist of four players, along with a celebrity captain and a scorer for each round. Accompanied by awesome Nike Golfer gifts, each foursome will also have the opportunity to win other cool prizes in contests throughout the rounds. The winning foursome will compete in the Super Bowl of Golf in April of 2014. This event will be held in a warm-weather golf destination and will include the winners from more than 25 other NFL Alumni tournaments around the country.

If you or anyone you know might be interested in getting involved with this event, click here or check out www.NFLAlumniPhilly.com.

We would like to give a big thank you to the NFL Alumni Philadelphia Chapter for their support of runaway and homeless youth. Your care and generosity will help in the growth of stronger families throughout the community.