#ICYMI: Villen Teens Peace Conference

Hundreds of teenagers turned out for the ninth annual Peace Conference at the Somerville High School on May 9.
Organized by the Center for Teen Empowerment, Somerville Public Schools and the City of Somerville, this year’s conference was called “True Life: Villen Life” and it focused on teen violence, substance abuse, and on teen mental health. There were performances, discussions and workshops.

“In the Peace Conference today we’re just training youth between the ages 13 and 21 how to facilitate workshops so after the performances we’re going to have classrooms filled with audience members and they’re going to talk about mental health,” Teen Empowerment facilitator Sean Post told Somerville Neighborhood News (SNN).

The afternoon was packed with poetry, dance, song, and skits, and then breakout sessions.

High School student Lyle Doherty told SNN he had never been to a conference before.

“I just think it is actually a really good event that brings the community together to talk about these issues,” he said. “It’s annual, so once a year getting the whole community together talking about these issues, and coming up with ways to solve these issues is just a really great overall event.”

Somerville Neighborhood News is a production of Somerville Community Access Television, made by professional journalists, volunteers and staff. The half-hour news show has as its mission to provide a lively, informative newscast focusing on the events, issues and information impacting Somerville residents.