| The Center for Human Development announces its third annual conference titled, "Through Her Eyes: The experience of girls and the juvenile justice system." The conference will be hosted on Oct. 23 from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Clarion hotel in West Springfield. This year's theme is "Relationships for Success: Critical Pathways for Supporting Young Women." Key note speakers are Dr. Stephanie Covington, Ph.D, l.C.S.W., and Andrea Johnston, J.D. Covington founded the Center for Gender and Justice and the Institute for Relational Development; she is committed to gender responsive policies and practices for girls and women in juvenile justice systems. Johnston co-founded with Gloria Steinem the Girls Speak Out Foundation in 1994, and in 2007 launched "The Caged Bird Sings Project," designed to empower girls isolated in extreme circumstances in the USA and Africa. The featured luncheon speaker this year is Jane E. Tewksbury, Esq., Massachusetts Commissioner of the Department of Youth Services. The conference will offer 12 workshops, with special emphases on relationships, empowerment and mentoring. The closing panel discussion will provide perspectives of women who have been in the criminal justice system and opportunities to relate their experiences to concepts presented throughout the workshops and addresses. Through their stories of challenges and successes, the women will give conference attendees an opportunity to experience the system through their eyes. For more information on the conference and any projects mentioned call Ruth Dudley-Carr at 737-2679 or visit www.throughhereyes.org. |
