In 1971, a group of students from Brighton High School had an idea to create a “center” that would meet the needs specific to youth in Rochester, NY. The philosophy supporting the vision was quite radical for the time: that young people, given information and support, could make their own positive life choices. They founded The Center to be informed by youth, for youth. The Center for Youth continues with this as our core principle. They are committed to empowering and advocating for vulnerable youth while always elevating their voices. Their mission is to provide comprehensive programs completely free, voluntary, and confidentially.

Workshop Title: Strengthening, Building and Restoring RELATIONSHIPS

Restorative practices bring people together to talk and share their stories. Restorative practices make it possible for people to strengthen and build relationships and develop a greater connection to self and community. These interactions help to focus on positive connections and support which contributes to a positive school climate and allows it to support both prevention and response.

Restorative practices can range from informal to formal. On a restorative practices' continuum, the informal practices include affective statements and questions that communicate peoples’ feelings and allow for reflection on how their behavior has affected others. Formal practices include more preparation and pre-conferencing. There are many types of circles and this training is designed to be an introduction to restorative practices. The Center for Youth has relied on restorative practices with youth of all ages and will share how these practices have enhanced relationships and transformed experiences.

Exercise Express, LLC, founded in 2011, is the only Black-owned, CORE-funded community program improving health and well-being through education, peer recovery, mindfulness, and exercise. Karen Rogers, MA is the founder and CEO of Exercise Express Spinning & Fitness Studio and a MWBE (Minority women business entrepreneur). Exercise Express staff reflect its client population, with understanding and passion to serve the community. Ms. Rogers oversees the Diabetes Prevention Program, a research-based program focusing on healthy eating and physical activity which can cut the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58%-71%. Exercise Express contracts with several local Managed Care Organizations and provide additional classes and workshops on health education, adult and specialized senior fitness, urban fitness, yoga, spinning, preventive approaches, healthy eating, substance use recovery, peer-led support, and empowerment.

Their mission is to provide access to resources and education to both underserved and overlooked members of our community empowering them to become advocates for themselves leading to healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lives.

The overall goal of Exercise Express is to promote improvements in physical and mental health among high-risk BIPOC clients that suffer from health disparities and high rates of treatable and preventable diseases, which often go undiagnosed and untreated.