Campaign For Our Children to Sponsor the First Statewide Male Teen Summit; NFL Veteran, Jean Fugett, to Keynote Event.

BALTIMORE -- Campaign for Our Children (CFOC), a nonprofit group established in 1987 to promote adolescent preventive-health issues, is a key sponsor of the upcoming Male Teen Summit, "Lessons from Life." This first statewide summit will take place on Saturday, June 11 at Morgan State University's Hurt Gymnasium; registration is free and begins at 9am.

"Lessons from Life" will provide a forum for young males to discuss important issues relevant to their lives. From violence and drugs in sports to HIV, the summit will offer guidance on how to deal with some of these difficult issues that plague male teens. Throughout this daylong event, participants will attend clinics and workshops run by community leaders and star-athletes.

"Our goal has always been to provide teens with the information they need to make smart decisions when it comes to their health and their future," said Bronwyn Mayden, MSW, Executive Director of Campaign for Our Children. "We wanted to provide a supportive arena where young men can learn new information and question old assumptions and myths regarding masculinity. We want participants to walk away with decision making skills they need to make responsible choices."

Keynote speaker, Jean Fugett, a former NFL star who played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins, will speak at 10am about his life experiences both on and off the field. After his playing days were over, Mr. Fugett received his law degree from George Washington University. In 1993, Mr. Fugett became C.E.O. of TLC Beatrice International Food Co., which was a billion dollar company. After Fugett's presentation there will be a question and answer period.

After opening remarks the summit will move into the sports clinics session where teens will compete in a variety of activities.

Summit attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the workshops listed below:

--"Let's Get Blown" - a workshop that deals with substance abuse in the stadium and in school.

--"You Don't Want No Problems, Problems" - this workshop will examine the emotional and physical consequences of teen dating violence and personality traits of potential abusive people.

--"Who You With" - this workshop will discuss ways that teens can avoid peer pressure and escape negative situations with friends and/or teammates.

--"College"- this workshop will provide answers to questions about admissions and the college recruiting process.

--"Wrap it Up" - this workshop will force attendees to take a good look in the mirror and realize that they must be the solution to the HIV pandemic.

Campaign for Our Children applauds athletes that promote healthy choices and responsible behavior. Riddick Parker, a Super Bowl ring winner and former player with the Baltimore Ravens, will take the podium at 12:15pm and will talk with teens about his experience in the National Football League.

"We are delighted that we have such strong support from the local community and government to offer these types of events for teens," added Mayden. The summit is free of charge for participants and was made possible by the following contributing partners:

--Governor's Council on Adolescent Pregnancy 

--Morgan-Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions

--Maryland Male Involvement Taskforce

--Department of Health and Mental Hygiene-

--Center for Maternal and Child Health

--Adams House - Prince George's County Health Department

--Baltimore City Health Department, Bureau of Reproductive Health Services

--LifeBridge Health Sports Medicine 

--LifeBridge Health & Fitness

--Sports Combine of Maryland

--University of Maryland - Baltimore Police

--Discovery Resource Center

--Center for Adolescent Health -

--Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

--Mayor's Office of Employment Development (MOED)

--Baltimore Youth Opportunity (YO!)

--Maryland Mentoring Partnership

--Maryland Regional Practitioners Network for Fathers and Families

--Operation Safe Kids

--The Center for Fathers, Families and Workforce Development

--Muvico Theaters

--Route 40 Paintball 

--Jillian's

--Football America -Nike/Adidas

--Baltimore Bayhawks

--S.H.A.R.P. Project

If you are interested in attending this event, please call Bronwyn Mayden, 410-986-5331. If you are a member of the media and are interested in covering the summit please call Tracey Cassidy, 917-741-6246.

About CFOC

Established in 1987, CFOC was initially formed to address the high teen birth rate in Maryland through a comprehensive, hands-on program to educate children, parents and the general public. Since its inception, the program has contributed greatly to the overall national decline in births to teens. CFOC's materials have been incorporated into adolescent prevention programs, schools and community organizations in all 50 states and in other countries such as Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Canada, Yugoslavia and Germany.