AGONY AND ECSTASY SMOKEY ROBINSON HOW TO

This hands-on, positive community experience helps young participants more fully understand how local government functions. The participants select a mayor, judge, chief of police, and town council members, then work together to create “working institutions” like a newspaper, bank, store, restaurant, and theater. Skilled facilitators work with them to form a unique “city”. This year’s theme was “Agony and Ecstasy”, which references a Smokey Robinson Song.ĭuring the two-week leadership program the youth live in college dorms. Campers mingled with guests interviewing them with questions regarding the guests’ careers, education and how the guests met their goals. Every year the participants pick a theme for their event. Ernest Dowdy, Director of SBETA Dennis Mims, Director of the GEM Camp Faron Roberts, City of San Bernardino Board Chairperson and Fred Fruehan Vice-Chair of the San Bernardino City Workforce Investment Boards, the governing body of SBETA.Ĭamp participants presented programs demonstrating the micro-city’s legal and political process. Wilmer Amina Carter’s office representatives, Sheila Futch and Cheryl Brown, presented Recognition Awards for work with youth to: Mr. And you made it through!”ĭowdy also thanked the SBETA board members for funding and supporting the GEM Program over the past 25 years. But that allowed you to focus and learn much more. I know that was like leaving an arm, with no Facebook and no Twitter. I know one of the greatest challenges for some of you was leaving your cell phone at home.

AGONY AND ECSTASY SMOKEY ROBINSON HOW TO

“Here you have learned how to work as a team. Ernest Dowdy, Director of the San Bernardino Employment and Training Agency ( SBETA), commended the youth on being able to make it through the program without their cell phones and access to friends or family. “You cannot accomplish alone what you can accomplish as a team.” stated Dowdy. He added, “Jack Brown is still watching me!”ĭr. and Jack Brown because when he played football at San Bernardino High School Jack Brown was always there to support the team. He spoke about his personal life story and how he was able to work for State Bros. He explained to the youth that to be successful you have to make sacrifices. Keynote Speaker Mark Seay, Community Relations Representative for Stater Bros., advised the participants to stay focused, have a goal, and keep good character because, “someone is always watching you”. The program strives to promote positive experiences as well as a proactive diversion from the negative influences impacting youth daily, such as neighborhood gangs and drugs. The eleven day GEM program provides interactive, career-focused education for at-risk, low-income young adults, 17 to 21 years of age. San Bernardino – Participants of the Growth, Excellence and Maturity (GEM) Leadership Camp presented programs and received commendations from local dignitaries yesterday at the CSUSB Student Union. Leadership Camp Participants Express Agony in Giving up Cell Phones for Eleven Days

Agony and ecstasy smokey robinson