FORT PIERCE – The organizers of a yearly meeting for local teens hope the gathering turns into “The Summer of New Beginnings” for participants.

As part of its annual summer camp, the Lincoln Park MAINSTREET will host its third teen summit geared at getting area youth to discuss and come up with ways to improve their lives and their community, said Elise Rollins, MAINSTREET program director.

The summit, which is open to the public, begins at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 10, in Old City Hall, located at 315 Avenue A. Dubbed “The Summer of New Beginnings,” the summit features guest speaker and former gang member Victor Woods from Chicago, Illinois.

Woods’s college educated, professional parents raised him in one of Chicago’s most affluent suburbs and his grandfather was a prominent Baptist minister. He had every advantage and was clever and intelligent, but his fascination with organized crime eventually led to his arrest and imprisonment at the age of 19. While serving his sentence, he reflected on his life and made a positive change by motivating other inmates and wrote his auto-biography titled, “A Breed Apart.”

Woods’s autobiography “A Breed Apart A Journey to Redemption” has been well received by a wide range audience and has led to a variety of speaking engagements at conferences, correctional facilities and universities and colleges. He has also worked with several law enforcement agencies between Chicago and Florida.

“Mr. Woods came to us a few months back to share his insight on helping us with the gang violence and we have invited him back to interact directly with the teens,” Rollins said. “He was a dynamic speaker and motivator.”

For additional information about Woods, visit his website at www.vicwoods.com.

Summit Topics

Part 1 – His Story: Mr. Woods shares his moving story from gangs and violence to national speaker and published author of his autobiography, A Breed Apart.

Part 2 – Hurdling the Obstacles: How to avoid the pitfalls of gangs, violence, drugs, and sex?

Part 3 – What does it take: How to turn your dreams into reality?

Part 4 – Choosing Positive Empowerment: How to avoid and deal with negative influences and people?

Part 5 – Identifying Your Talent: Mr. Woods engages audience members to participate in a talent showcase.

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