Bullying and Suicide Prevention Summit Hosted By National Voices for Equality, Education and Enlightenment (NVEEE) and Florida International University College of Law
Miami, FL (PRWEB) October 16, 2013 -- National Voices for Equality, Education and Enlightenment (NVEEE) in partnership with Florida International University (FIU) College of Law will host the “Not on My Watch” Bullying Prevention Summit on Saturday, October 19 at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus located at 11200 S.W 8th Street Miami, FL 33199 from 8:30a.m - 2:30p.m. Sponsored by Kaufman, Rossin & Co., FIU College of Law, and PrintHouse USA, the summit is free and open to the public. Registration is required. For more information or to register, visit http://tinyurl.com/ksays7q or call 954.561.2626.
The purpose of the summit is to empower bystanders to become upstanders by engaging families and communities in a critical dialogue on bullying and suicide prevention.
Topics of the breakout sessions will include themes like “Digital Drama & Cyber Bullying” presented by Alex Wall, Managing Director of RockIt Lab and an NVEEE board member. Other formats will consist of a panel where current and former students in NVEEE’s Peace Ambassador program share about the important role a bystander plays when bullying occurs and how they became empowered to stand up and speak out for others and themselves.
In addition to NVEEE Peace Ambassadors, nearly 200 stakeholders from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties are expected to participate in the summit, including middle and high school students, parents, teachers, counselors, elected officials, sponsors and community. “At Kaufman Rossin, community involvement is a key element of our firm culture. Many of our employees are proud to serve others through passionate involvement in organizations like NVEEE,” says Blain L. Heckaman, Managing Principal at Kaufman, Rossin & Co. “It is our privilege to help NVEEE make our community a better place to live.”
Other bullying prevention allies who are participating as panelists include Jane Clementi, mother of Tyler Clementi, a gay teen who ended his life several days after a cyber-bullying incident by jumping off the George Washington Bridge. Cassidy McMillan, Producer and Director of the Award-Winning Documentary “Bullies and Friends.” Trish Behnke and Tracy Fentress, the mothers of 14-yr-old best friends Haylee Fentress and Paige Moravetz, whose double suicide pact due to bullying and harassment shocked the nation. Former Judge and FIU Law Professor, Phyllis Kotey. District Chairperson of TRUST Programs, Delphine Gervais. Special Education Attorney and FIU Professor, Laverne Pickney. NVEEE Teen Spokesperson, Ruth Sanders, and Jowharah Sanders, Founder and Executive Director of NVEEE.
“I'm happy to join other families who are united in taking a stand to keep our kids safe” said Jane Clementi, co-founder of The Tyler Clementi Foundation. “By being an Upstander and not a bystander, we can make our homes, schools, churches and online communities a safe and welcoming place for all. The Tyler Clementi Foundation is happy to be a part of NVEEE’s work which provides vital services and training for educators, youth, and families in South Florida. Their work touches the lives of LGBT and vulnerable youth to realize their future.”
For more information about participating organizations, topics included in the summit and how to support the summit by becoming a sponsor, visit http://www.NVEEE.org.
A special thank you to our current sponsors and donors: FIU College of Law, Kaufman, Rossin & Co., PrintHouse USA, Award-Winning Documentary “Bullies and Friends”, Hatten Design, Mud Mingle, Karla’s Party Creations, Rosie’s Bar & Grill, Courtyard Cafe, Miami New Times, Robert Joshua, True Motion Marketing, New Moon Bar, The Challenge Mud Run and Mud Mingle Halloween Run.
About NVEEE:
NVEEE is a community-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to prevent bullying, violence, and suicide among youth, families and communities through direct service, mentoring and prevention education.
Education is an essential component of how NVEEE engages families and communities in moving towards social change. In four years, NVEEE has reached over 15,000 students, parents, educators and administrators through its signature “Not on My Watch” School-wide Bullying & Harassment Prevention Program, and was recently featured on an episode of ABC’s Secret Millionaire for its work in the community.
Jowharah Sanders, NVEEE, http://www.nveee.org, +1 (954) 561-2626, [email protected]
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