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PRESS RELEASE: Registration Now Open for Central Indiana's Summit for Student Success

7/13/2009

Keynote Speakers to Include Tarik Glenn, Tony Bennett and Karen Pittman

Indianapolis, IN - MCCOY announced that registration opened this week for Central Indiana's Summit for Student Success: Bringing the Community Together to Tackle the Dropout Challenge, which will be held at Hilbert Circle Theatre in downtown Indianapolis on Monday, August 10, 2009. Keynote speakers include Tarik Glenn, former Colts offensive tackle and Founder of D.R.E.A.M. Alive, Dr. Tony Bennett, Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Indiana, and Karen Pittman, Executive Director of the Forum for Youth Investment in Washington, DC.

The cost to attend is $30 for general registrants, $25 for non-profit professionals and FREE for young people and students. Registrants will receive a $5 discount when they pledge to bring a backpack for the United Way of Central Indiana's BackPack Attack campaign. The conference will take place from 8am to 4pm with registration and breakfast beginning at 7:30. Participants who sign MCCOY's Community Compact for Youth prior to the Summit will be recognized as a "champion for youth". Those interested in attending can find more information or register for the event online at www.mccoyouth.org.

"If you think this summit isn't for you, think again. Our entire community has a stake in seeing that young people succeed; we invite parents, young people, business and government leaders, law enforcement, youth workers, community organizations, and educational institutions," says John Brandon, President of MCCOY. "We all say we want young people to do well. It's time for all sectors of our community to step forward and put those words into actions."

In addition to the keynote speeches, participants will be able to choose from a full menu of informative, inspirational and thought-provoking breakout sessions featuring examples of high-quality programs, partnerships, initiatives and practices that contribute to a supportive environment and positive outcomes for youth and families. Participants will gain a better understanding of how each sector affects and is affected by the low graduation rate in central Indiana and begin to develop possible solutions.

Central Indiana's high dropout rate is a significant symptom of a complicated problem that can only be solved through a community-wide effort to increase the odds of success for local youth. The Summit, sponsored by America's Promise Alliance, offers the community a chance to build partnerships, gain commitment and adopt an actionable plan for creating an environment full of opportunities for youth to thrive, learn, engage and contribute. Organizations interested in sponsoring the Summit can find information on MCCOY's website: www.mccoyouth.org.

MCCOY's planning partners for Central Indiana's Summit for Student Success include: United Way of Central Indiana, Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce (Common Goal), American Academy of Pediatrics, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana, Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis, Indiana Afterschool Network, Indiana Partnership Center, Indiana State Farm, Indianapolis Public Schools, Indianapolis Urban League, IUPUI Office of External Affairs, JCC Indianapolis, Lumina Foundation for Education, and NetLiteracy.

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