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PROVIDENCE, R.I. ­­– The 2018 #TURNUPRI Youth Summit will take place April 18-19 in Providence, giving youth from throughout Rhode Island the chance to have fun and explore future educational and career opportunities while improving student relations and college readiness, all for free.

More than 300 diverse youth from across the state will take part in the fourth annual summit at three venues in downtown Providence: the Providence Public Library, AS220 and .

Youth will hear directly from local experts on career pathways in fields such as graphic design, solar energy, community organizing, pathways to law school and careers in law enforcement. Other workshops will focus on careers in music and video production, entrepreneurship and artistry, computer science and the science of hydroponics. These unique workshops were tailored to appeal to what students are looking for and were developed with feedback from focus groups of students, with the support of the Rhode Island Department of Education.

For the youth and young adults, the summit provides a way to demystify the process of reaching college and/or career goals. “The overwhelming response and turnout of participants across the state came from one simple approach – just ask them what they want, give it to them and they will show up,” said Taino J. Palermo, co-founder of the summit and Director of the Community Development and Healthy Communities programs at ��ܽ����Ƶ’s School of Continuing Studies, in Providence. 

“This groundbreaking educational and youth workforce development summit promises to impress,” Palermo said. “Participants will enjoy workshops led by professionals from across the state of Rhode Island who will not only offer their wisdom and knowledge but hefty doses of inspiration, as well.”

This year’s keynote speaker is the Providence native, animal expert and Instagram celebrity Michael Holston Jr. Also known as @therealtarzann, he manages a zoo and exotic reptile farm in Florida, where he breeds and rescues exotic animals. He is preparing to launch his own television show where he hopes to expose other young people of color to the world of zoology and exotic animals.

The summit is made possible with support from the Rhode Island Department of Health’s Health Equity Institute, the Rhode Island Foundation, Bank Newport, Cox Communications, the City of Providence and the YMCA.

Youth will gather in the Providence Public Library auditorium on the third floor in the mornings (8:30-10:15 a.m.) and in the afternoons (2:45-4 p.m.) to hear from local community leaders with opportunities to win prizes such as laptops, Apple Watches, gift cards and more.

This year’s summit will include four college scholarships for high school seniors in attendance who provide proof of college acceptance at check-in. All workshops will take place between the ��ܽ����Ƶ School of Continuing Studies (1 Empire Plaza) on the second floor and AS220 (115 Empire St.) during the morning (10:30 a.m.–noon) and afternoon (1-2:30 p.m.).

A healthy and nutritious breakfast and lunch will be provided courtesy of McDonald’s and local Rhode Island caterer Every1’s Chef. The summit will close during the afternoon of the second day with a networking event from 4-6 p.m. in the library’s Grand Hall. Transportation is provided from four pick-up locations across the City of Providence courtesy of the YMCA of Greater Providence.

For more information about presenters, workshops and to support the summit, please visit: . Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Snapchat: @turnupri.