Youth Explosion 2010 Jacksonville, Florida

Youth Explosion 2010

Annual Back to School Celebration

First Baptist Church of Oakland “The Oak” served over 1800 families
that attended the Youth Explosion 2010 held at Metropolitan Park
in Jacksonville, Florida. This was in collaboration with the Youth
Explosion Parent and Student Empowerment Dinner. Students were
able to receive book bags, computer flash drives and much needed
materials to prepare them for school. Pastor Torin T. Dailey and his
dedicated congregation conducted another successful celebration
with a powerful and spirit lead Enlightenment and Empowerment
service.

”The Oak” conducted it’s dinner and clothes give away that was
greatly appreciated and truly needed by those in attendance.
Families in need were blessed with new clothes for the first days
of school that they would not otherwise have for children attending
local schools. Door prizes ranged in gift certificates, personal
items, and the grand prizes of two multimedia computers
provided by William Jackson and Cheryl Williams of JETI
and E3 Business Group, Inc. This years computer winners
were Joerod Adams and Kennard Lyles both of Jacksonville, Florida.
The host for the dinner as in the past was Matthew Gilbert Middle
School who is lead by Principal Evan Daniels. The dinner was
served by the hospitality committee from “The Oak”. There were
over 300 families served dinner, then broke into small group sessions
that were provided needed information that empowered parents
with knowledge about DCPS in all grade levels even on the
college level.

In attendance were Betty Burney DCPS School Board Member
District 5 who presided, Dr. Larry Rozier Exe. Dir. of High Schools,
Cluster 3 and Mr. Tony Bellamy Dir. of Turn Around Schools,
Cluster 4. The keynote speaker Audrey Gibson State Representative
District 15. Rep. Gibson spoke to the parents about how important
their part is in the educational process of their children, to get their
children to school on time and prepared with materials they need
for learning. She mentioned that parents should join the PTO/PTA,
attend Open House, and School Board meetings to stay informed
on policies and procedures. Rep Gibson emphasized the need for
parents to provide their children more opportunities to read and
improve their literacy and comprehension because these are the
testing areas for FCAT.

Teachers with all their years of experience, certifications in subject
areas and teaching abilities are only one piece of the educational
process; parents must make sure their children value education and
want to be educated. Parents are their children’s first teachers and
motivators for success in school and life.

Despite the small size of its congregation “The Oak”, its Youth
Explosion of 2010 rivaled those of other local ministries much
larger. Putting their faith first and desire to walk a Christian life
of service to community in the name of Jesus Christ, “The Oak”
persevered and blessed a community and many families.
Pastor Dailey ministered about the importance of education on the final
day of the Enlightenment and Empowerment event. As he continued his
mission to educate those in attendance he stated with passion and
conviction that if we (parents and community) don’t teach them
(our children) the right way. The enemy will teach them through
other people; pimples, drug dealers, hustlers, prostitutes, and others
who do not have children’s lives in their best interests. They will
learn through music videos and other potentially destructive avenues.
Turning them (children) away from a positive direction to one of potentially
death and destruction to their lives and those around them.

Conclusion
The Oak’s Youth Explosion is a prelude to other community events that
will touch the lives of students and parents. The Annual Boys2Men
Symposium will be held on Saturday, October 2nd 2010
(http://2010boys2men.eventbrite.com/), The E3 Business Group, Inc
Forum “Are You Living Color” January 27th 2010
(http://www.e3businessgroup.org/), and the upcoming Youth Study
Circles will take a turn and allow teens to voice their concerns on
race and racism in Northeast Florida. Parents must be knowledgeable
and aware of these events to get their children involved in dialogues
and participate to help Northeast Florida grow.

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