United Way of Morris County Events
Past Events

Youth Summit Day
Friday, May 11, 2007

"Don't give up on your dreams."  That's what one middle school student learned from United Way of Morris County's first ever Youth Summit Day on May 11, 2007 at the Morris Museum.  The summit brought together almost 100 middle school students from across the County for a day of teambuilding and problem solving exercises that develop leadership skills.

Patrick Fennell of Empowerment Solutions kicked off the event in the museum's Bickford Theatre, welcoming the students and participating middle schools.  John Franklin, CEO of United Way of Morris County, thanked all who made Youth Summit Day possible, particularly event sponsor Reckitt Benckiser.

Dr. Vance Moss, the morning session's keynote speaker, spoke to the students about the importance of role models, leadership, and perseverance, and encouraged the students to "find accessible role models" to help them achieve their dreams. 

Moss, a major in the US Army Reserve 344th Combat Support Hospital, and his identical twin brother, Dr. Vince Moss, a major in the same unit, traveled to Afghanistan for an extraordinary, high risk medical mission.  The twin brothers were both to have served as the morning's keynote speakers, but duty called for Dr. Vince Moss; he was needed for surgery early Friday morning instead.

During his address to the students, Dr. Vance Moss recounted his tour of duty in Afghanistan.  Working by the dim light of cell phones at times, the twin doctors performed much needed surgical procedures on hundreds of locals throughout the Afghan countryside.  The identical twin brothers were dubbed as “Dogonogay”: Same Face Healers during their special mission to Afghanistan. 

Moss noted that the children of Afghanistan drove him and his brother to risk their lives. He shared pictures of the children that he and his brother operated on, including a teenage boy who lost both of his legs in a minefield. 

Small group activities that focused on identifying issues that many teens face, as well as possible solutions, were held throughout the morning.  Students also had the opportunity to participate in the Game of Life, an interactive activity that is designed to spark awareness about various social issues, from drug abuse to violence, as well as the agencies in their community that are in place to address such problems.  Larry Chenault of AAA Academy for Children also led a series of martial arts activities in the afternoon.

United Way of Morris County gratefully acknowledges all of the individuals, organizations, and companies that made Youth Summit Day Middle School a success, including:

Reckitt Benckiser for generously underwriting the event

Dr. Vance Moss for his inspiring words.

Patrick Fennell of Empowerment Solutions for supporting, planning, and facilitating the event.

The many volunteers on United Way's Kids on Track Action Team that envisioned and planned Youth Summit Day.

Larry Chenault of AAA Academy for Children for coordinating the afternoon's Movement Exercise.

The many volunteer facilitators that led small group activities.

The participating agencies and organizations in the Game of Life activity: 211 First Call for Help; Family Service of Morris County; JBWS; Morris County Sexual Assault Center; NewBridge Services, LLC; and Teen Health FX.

Whole Foods of Madison for donating granola bars and fruit.

Mona Katzman of Action Ink for donating notepads.

The Morris Museum for their support.

The participating middle schools:  Boonton Middle School; Randolph Middle School; Eisenhower Middle School, Roxbury; Thomas Jefferson Middle School, Rockaway Borough; Central Middle School, Parsippany; East Hanover Middle School; Jefferson Township Middle School; Ridgedale Middle School, Florham Park; and Madison Junior School. 

And… the student leaders for their hard work and participation.  Thank you!
To learn more about Youth Summit Day and United Way of Morris County programs and initiatives for youth, please email Kathy Kwasnik or phone 973.993.1160, x130.

Click here to view more photos of the event.