Motivated Garden Grove Teen Will Lead More Than 1,500 Young People at National Keystone Conference

Jovany Salinas Sits on Youth Steering Committee

Jovany Salinas, 17, a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove at Clinton Branch will join 16 of his peers to serve on the youth steering committee of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's 41st annual National Keystone Conference, which will be held March 27 - 30 in Anaheim, CA.

As a member of the committee, Salinas will be responsible for managing the three-day National Keystone Conference - facilitating in-depth workshops on some of the toughest issues facing teens today.

Keystone Clubs are teen leadership groups within Boys & Girls Clubs that focus on leadership development through community service projects. They are part of the multi-million dollar teen outreach initiative, funded by the Taco Bell Foundation, which provides mentoring, job training and counseling to at-risk youth.

One of the highlights of this year's Keystone Conference is a general session lead by MTV personality Sway on the media's portrayal of teens.

Sway will be joined by other members of the media to explore just how accurately today's teens are reported on, taking tough questions from the Keystoners gathered from around the country and from military bases worldwide.

In recognition of how many teens struggle with finances, the Charles Schwab Foundation will sponsor a super session on "Dollars and Sense," featuring entrepreneur, turned actor Camille Winbush of the "Bernie Mac Show." Winbush will share her secrets on entrepreneurial success and her plans for a summer camp to help young women pursue their business dreams.

The more than 1,500 teens in attendance will also take part in an on-site survey, results of which will be shared with the media, along with both political and business leaders in a national Teen Town Hall that will be held Monday, March 31 at the Hollywood Boys & Girls Club.

Plans for the Teen Town Hall include a presentation of recommendations from the youth in attendance to leading members of Congress and ultimately to the President of the United States later this year.

"The Keystone Conference gives our young people an opportunity to explore issues of particular concern to them," says Addie McHale, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove. "At the same time, they have a chance to enhance their leadership skills and make friends with other teens from different Clubs across the country. Being chosen to serve on the steering committee for this important event is indeed an honor and we are proud to have Jovany represent our Club."

Salinas has been involved with United Keystone Club since 2004 and has served as Vice President. "Leaders are made not born. This conference will be my first time serving on the steering committee and we have been working hard to make the upcoming conference the best. I will be responsible to greet all Keystoners that will be coming to my hometown. In addition, I am responsible for a few speeches."

This is the 11th consecutive year that United Keystone Club has been involved in the Keystone Club program.

The annual National Keystone Conference is planned, managed and presented each year by a steering committee of Keystone Club members from across the United States with technical assistance from Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Located at 13645 Clinton Street, the Boys & Girls Clubs has served the youth of Garden Grove for 15 years. The Club provides programs for more than 250 boys and girls in the areas of drug and alcohol prevention, delinquency intervention, health and fitness, career exploration and educational enhancement. Contact Alex Gallegos at 714-537-8833 for more information on the Keystone Program.