Youth Empowerment Summit Expands to Include an Expo for York County Parents and Teens

Youth Empowerment Summit Expands to Include an Expo
 for York County Parents and Teens
 
YORK, PA – York County Libraries has expanded its annual Youth Empowerment Summit (YES) to include a new expo designed for parents and teens on Saturday, October 18. The event will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at York College of Pennsylvania, Willman Business Center, located at 441 Country Club Rd. Registration is not required to attend the expo. 
 
“We’re very excited to be adding a second day of programming to the Youth Empowerment Summit.  Teens and their guardians are invited to join us on Saturday, October 18th to learn more about some great local organizations,” says York County Libraries Youth Services Director Mindy McDonnell.  “We are also offering high-interest and relevant workshop sessions on topics like college admissions and financial aid, social media, and future impacts of AI.  We’re confident that, after attending, teens and their families will feel both more prepared and more excited about post-high school life.”
 
The Youth Empowerment Summit is held annually for York County students in grades 9 – 12. The new expo adds a second day to the summit to provide an opportunity for area parents and teens to explore topics and information that is relevant now and post-graduation. There will be three featured presentations including “How Do I Help My Teen Prepare for College?” at 11:15 a.m.; “Technology: Reclaim Your Brain at 12:15 p.m., and “Beyond the Code: Is AI Humanity's Best Friend or Its Worst Enemy?” at 1:15 p.m. 
 
During the third session, Dr. James Norrie, best-selling author, speaker, and professor at York College of Pennsylvania, will give his award-winning presentation on AI and its peril and possibility for all humanity. Designed for students and parents alike, Dr. Norrie will explain how to be an AI victor, not a victim.  The presentation aims to help attendees understand how the fast-emerging AI-enabled world of the present will impact both society's and one’s own future. Dr. Norrie is the author of “Beyond the Code: AI’s Promise, Peril and Possibility for Humanity.” 
 
Professionals representing a variety of organizations will also be at the expo to share information and answer questions. They include York College of Pennsylvania, York County Libraries, YTI Career Institute, HACC, York County Parks, Habitat for Humanity, Suicide Prevention of York, PHEAA- Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, and more.
 
“One of the things that impresses me each year about YES is how it brings our teens and area professionals together for a vibrant learning experience,” says York County Libraries President Robert F. Lambert. “There is an incredible enthusiasm for both learning and sharing expertise that inevitably will help students as they prepare for life after high school.”
 
YES is the recipient of statewide accolades from the Youth Services Division of the Pennsylvania Library Association. In 2019, it was awarded the first Humanities in Action Award; a Best Practices Award created in partnership with the Pennsylvania Humanities Council.  In addition, it received the coveted David J. Roberts EXCEL Award which recognizes the “best” of the Best Practices award winners.
 
York County Libraries (YCL) strengthen the York County community and enrich individual lives. YCL includes 13 libraries that provide the latest in print and digital information, bestsellers, Wi-Fi, story times, book discussions, and over 50 databases. In addition to their extensive collection of 534,000 physical items, YCL offers over one million digital library materials for loan. All are available for free with a York County Libraries card. Community members without a card are invited to request one at yorklibraries.org at no cost.
 
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Media members interested in covering the event should RSVP to Deb Sullivan at dsullivan@yorklibraries.org or (717) 849-6931. Thank you!